Core Refusal Reason
The site is unsuitable for an on-site wastewater treatment system due to poor soil percolation and a high water table, which poses a significant risk of environmental pollution.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- Site inspections and trial hole data revealed soil mottling at less than 500mm below ground level, alongside evidence of ponding and rushes, indicating a high water table and poor drainage.
- The proposed development fails to meet the mandatory minimum 500mm depth of unmottled soil required by Section 5.4.3 of the EPA Code of Practice 2021 for domestic wastewater treatment systems.
- Granting permission would result in an unacceptable risk of groundwater pollution and would be directly contrary to Policy HO P27 of the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029 regarding sustainable wastewater management.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy HO P11Objective HO O43Objective HO O44Policy HO P12Policy HO P13Policy HO P15Policy HO P14Objective HO O50Objective HO O51Objective HO O52Objective HO O53Policy HO P26Policy HO P27Policy HO P33Section 3.13Section 3.14Section 3.15
Decision Document Summary
The applicant, Oliver Lyons, sought permission for a single-storey detached dwelling, an on-site wastewater treatment system, and a new entrance at Killeenmore, Straffan, Co. Kildare. The proposal was intended to complete a cluster of family dwellings on a 0.539ha site. While the planning authority acknowledged the applicant's social need and found the siting and design acceptable, the application was refused due to critical technical failures regarding wastewater disposal. Environmental assessm...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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