Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the failure to demonstrate a local rural housing need, non-compliance with rural design height standards in a sensitive landscape, and traffic safety concerns regarding substandard sightlines and hedgerow removal.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient verifiable evidence to establish a location-specific rural housing need as defined under Policy RUR DEV SP 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027.
- The proposed dwelling's ridge height of 9.8 meters exceeds the 8.2-meter maximum recommended in the Rural House Design Guide, resulting in a strident and obtrusive development in the Lough Sheelin Uplands Landscape Area.
- The proposed vehicular entrance lacks the required 90-meter unobstructed sightlines and necessitates the removal of significant roadside boundaries, creating a traffic hazard and contravening environmental preservation policies.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy RUR DEV SP 2Policy RD POL 9Policy HER POL 37Appendix 13 Rural Design GuideChapter 9Chapter 11
Decision Document Summary
Niamh Plunkett sought permission for a two-storey dwelling, domestic garage, and wastewater treatment system at Ballinrink, Oldcastle, Co. Meath, a site located within the Lough Sheelin Uplands Landscape Area. Meath County Council refused the proposal because the applicant did not demonstrate a compliant rural housing need and the dwelling's scale was deemed visually injurious to the sensitive landscape. Furthermore, the proposed access was found to be substandard, failing to meet traffic safety...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.