Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the applicant's failure to demonstrate a rural housing need, inadequate site drainage for wastewater treatment, and potential flood risk at the proposed entrance.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to establish a genuine rural housing need in accordance with Policy Objective RH2 of the Galway County Development Plan 2022-2028, as links to the area were not sufficiently verified.
- The Planning Authority is not satisfied that the site can safely accommodate the disposal of domestic effluent due to poor drainage characteristics and extreme groundwater vulnerability, posing a risk to public health and surface waters.
- The proposed entrance is located over the Polleen watercourse in a flood-vulnerable area; without a site-specific flood risk assessment, the development would contravene flood management guidelines and the precautionary principle.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RH 2Policy Objective RH 4Policy Objective RH 9Policy Objective FL 1Policy Objective FL 2Policy Objective FL 3Policy Objective LCM 2Policy Objective LCM 3Policy Objective NHB 2Policy Objective NHB 3Policy Objective WR 1Policy Objective GA 7Policy Objective TWHS 1Policy Objective WW 4Policy Objective WW 6Policy Objective WW 7Policy Objective WW 11DM Standard 6DM Standard 7DM Standard 8DM Standard 11DM Standard 28DM Standard 36DM Standard 38DM Standard 46DM Standard 47DM Standard 50DM Standard 67
Decision Document Summary
The applicant sought permission to construct a new single-storey dwelling, garage, and wastewater treatment system at Coill Rua Thoir, a rural site located within a Special Landscape Sensitivity area and the Galway County Transport Planning Strategy (GCTPS) zone. Galway County Council refused the application on three primary grounds: the applicant's failure to substantiate a rural housing need for this specific location, technical concerns regarding the site's ability to safely treat wastewater ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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