2660207

RETENTION permission is sought for the change of use of an existing residential site to a commercial yard for the parking and storage of heavy-duty vehicles and agricultural machinery. The proposed development will facilitate the parking of a maximum of two lorries and trailers, along with tractors and ancillary agricultural machinery, together with all associated site development works

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The development lacks a demonstrated locational need for its rural setting, is visually intrusive to the countryside character, and fails to provide sufficient ecological information to rule out impacts on the Lough Derravaragh SPA.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The applicant failed to demonstrate a specific locational, operational, or economic necessity for the commercial yard on unzoned rural land, which could instead be accommodated on suitably zoned and serviced lands within established settlements.
  • The retention of the commercial yard is considered visually intrusive and incongruous with the rural landscape, introducing urbanising features that adversely impact the area's character and set an undesirable precedent for similar developments.
  • Due to the absence of ecological information and the site's proximity to the Lough Derravaragh SPA, the planning authority cannot conclude that the development would not have significant adverse effects on the Natura 2000 network.

Cited Policies (CDP)

CPO 5.3CPO 5.29CPO 16.49CPO 12.6

Decision Document Summary

This application sought retention permission for the change of use of a 0.15-hectare residential site to a commercial yard for the parking and storage of heavy-duty vehicles and agricultural machinery at Blackmiles, Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath. The site is located in an unzoned rural area approximately 920m from the Lough Derravaragh SPA. Westmeath County Council refused the proposal as it is contrary to the county's settlement and employment strategy, constitutes a visually intrusive form of de...
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