SD22A/0457

The development will consist of a cemetery including: 8,047 No. traditional burial plots; Columbarium walls; 1 single storey reception building (214.7m2 Gross Floor Area (GFA)) comprising a reception, 1 office, 1 reception store, WC, kitchenette with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels at roof level; and the provision of an ancillary maintenance shed, bin and battery storage structures; The development includes a new vehicular access road from Garters Lane to the N7 /M7 Naas Road, with 2 vehicular access points serving the proposed cemetery; 110 car parking spaces (25 spaces to the east of the reception building and 85 within overflow car park areas to the south of the development); 8 bicycle parking stands; and all associated hard and soft landscape and boundary treatment works including the reshaping of an existing lake and provision of a footbridge; provision of SUDS measures, associated lighting, associated signage, site services (foul and surface water drainage and water supply); and all other associated site excavation, infrastructural and site development works above and below ground.

Granted

Core Planning Reasoning

The Inspector recommended a grant of permission because a lawn cemetery is an 'open for consideration' use under the 'OS' (Open Space) zoning objective and the proposal provides a necessary civic amenity that has been sensitively designed to utilize existing golf course fairways, thereby preserving the site's mature woodland and ecological character.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The principle of development is acceptable as the proposed cemetery is compatible with the 'OS' zoning and provides a valuable civic amenity for the expanding local population.
  • The design successfully mitigates landscape and ecological impacts by siting burial plots within former fairways and maintaining the existing woodland canopy to screen the development.
  • Concerns regarding the reception building's potential use as a funeral home are addressed by a condition requiring a significant reduction in floor area and the prohibition of ceremonies on site.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Zoning Objective 'OS' (Open Space)Policy GI4: Sustainable Drainage SystemsGI4 Objective 1GI5 Objective 4 (Green Space Factor)Policy SM1: Sustainable MovementSection 7.10 Car ParkingSection 8.15 Burial Grounds PolicyPolicy COS13: Burial GroundsCOS13 Objective 1Section 11.2.1 Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS)Policy IE3: Surface Water and GroundwaterSection 11.8.2 Casement AerodromeSection 11.8.6 Airport and Aerodrome – NoiseSection 11.8.7 Public Safety ZonesChapter 12 Implementation and MonitoringSection 12.4.2 Green Infrastructure and Development ManagementSection 12.8.8 Burial Grounds Including Green Burial Grounds and CrematoriaAppendix 6 (Definitions of Use-Classes)

Decision Document Summary

The applicant, Cape Wrath Hotel Unlimited Company, sought permission for an 8,047-plot cemetery, columbarium walls, a reception building, and a maintenance building on c. 13.45ha of the former Citywest Hotel golf course in Saggart, Co. Dublin. The site is situated near the N7 and Garter's Lane, characterized by structured fairways and mature tree stands. A third-party appeal challenged the 'need' for the cemetery and raised concerns about traffic and the loss of leisure space. The Inspector dism...
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