2360524

to: a) change of use to part of the ground floor area from commercial to medical practice, b) proposed extension to the front of existing building to accommodate a new entrance and to the side to accommodate a stairway to first floor apartment with storage below, c) retention of first floor area from storage to residential, d) retain elevation alterations, e) proposed alterations to elevations, including new signage to the front elevation, f) proposed alterations to site layout & g) all associated site works

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The proposed development is located in a remote, unserviced rural area outside of any settlement, lacks public transport links, and fails to demonstrate compliance with rural housing and healthcare facility policies, alongside insufficient technical details regarding wastewater and parking.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The proposal is situated in a remote rural location outside of a settlement boundary, making it entirely car-dependent and contrary to strategic policies (CD1 and H1) regarding the location of healthcare facilities and rural enterprises.
  • The applicant failed to provide adequate technical information concerning wastewater treatment and parking requirements, preventing a full assessment of environmental impacts and site suitability.
  • The residential element of the proposal does not demonstrate compliance with rural housing policy (RH 2), as no documentation was submitted to prove a genuine housing need in an area under strong urban pressure.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Chapter 4 Rural Living and DevelopmentChapter 11 Community Development and Social InfrastructureChapter 15 Development Management StandardsPolicy Objective CD1 Rural EnterprisePolicy Objective H1 Healthcare FacilitiesPolicy Objective RH2Policy Objective WW10 Surface Water DrainagePolicy Objective WW 6 Private Wastewater Treatment PlantsPolicy Objective NHB 2 European Sites and Appropriate AssessmentPolicy Objective NHB 3Policy Objective NHB 10DM Standard 40

Decision Document Summary

This application sought permission for the change of use of a brownfield commercial building in Cor an Dola to a medical practice, including extensions and the retention of a first-floor residential unit. The site, a former petrol station and current hairdressers, is located in an unserviced rural area. Galway County Council refused permission primarily because the location is disconnected from settlements and public transport, making it unsuitable for a healthcare facility. Furthermore, the app...
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