Core Refusal Reason
The subject site is unsuitable for the safe disposal of domestic effluent due to a high water table and inadequate unsaturated soil depth, which fails to meet the requirements of the EPA Code of Practice and poses a risk to public health.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- Site inspections confirmed a high water table with water ingress observed at 350mm below ground level, even during a prolonged dry period, indicating poor percolation characteristics.
- The proposed development fails to achieve the minimum unsaturated soil/subsoil depth required by Table 6.3 of the EPA Code of Practice 2021 for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems.
- The inability of the site to safely attenuate and dispose of wastewater would be prejudicial to public health and contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Section 2.6Section 2.7Section 3.9Section 3.10Table 3.2Section 7.4Section 7.8Section 12.7Section 12.9
Decision Document Summary
Joe Rogers sought permission for a single-storey dwelling, garage, and wastewater treatment system at Fearagh, Hillstreet, Co. Roscommon, situated within Rural Policy Zone A and a 'Very High Value' landscape character area. Although the applicant successfully demonstrated a social and economic need to reside in the area, the proposal was refused due to critical site suitability issues. The Environmental Department identified a high water table and insufficient unsaturated soil depth, concluding ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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