Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development would alter the rural character of the area to a suburban appearance, contravene the 'RU' rural zoning objective to protect landscape integrity, and fail to maintain a required 48m riparian buffer from the Ballough Stream.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development would lead to the undesirable 'suburbanisation' of a rural area under pressure, fundamentally altering its character contrary to the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029.
- The proposal fails to adhere to mandatory riparian buffer standards (48m), as both the dwelling and wastewater systems are located too close to the Ballough Stream.
- Despite the barn-like design intended to emulate agricultural buildings, the back-land siting is considered anachronistic and would set a negative precedent for similar developments in the open countryside.
Cited Policies (CDP)
RU Rural Zoning ObjectivePolicy SPQHP55Objective SPQO84Policy SPQHP46Objective SPQHO81Objective IUO26Objective DMSO21OTable 3.5
Decision Document Summary
The proposal involves the construction of a 1.5-storey dwelling with a barn-like design to the rear of an existing bungalow at Oberstown, Lusk, Co. Dublin. The 0.4 ha site is located in a rural, high-lying agricultural landscape bounded by the Ballough Stream. While the Inspector acknowledges that the applicant has local family ties that qualify for consideration under the Rural Settlement Strategy, the development is recommended for refusal. The primary arguments against the scheme are that its...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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