Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development would be visually obtrusive and fail to integrate into the rural landscape due to the excessive removal of native hedgerows and a lack of natural screening, thereby eroding the rural character of the area.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The site lacks substantial natural boundaries and the capacity to absorb the proposed development, making the dwelling unduly prominent in the rural landscape.
- The excessive removal of mature native hedgerow to facilitate sightlines has eliminated natural screening, resulting in an incongruous element that erodes the area's rural character.
- The proposal fails to comply with design and site selection standards (HOU 44 and HOU 49), setting an undesirable precedent for inappropriate development in the vicinity.
Cited Policies (CDP)
HOU 43HOU 44HOU 49Section 3.17.4Table 3.5Section 13.9Section 13.9.4Section 13.9.14Section 13.9.15Table 13.13Policy Objective IU 18
Decision Document Summary
Sean Callan sought permission for a part storey and a half dwelling, wastewater treatment system, and new entrance at Paughanstown, Dunleer, Co. Louth. While the applicant successfully demonstrated compliance with local housing need criteria (HOU 43), the application was refused because the site lacks the natural features necessary to integrate the building into the landscape. Specifically, the removal of extensive roadside hedgerows for visibility splays left the site exposed, making the propos...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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