Core Refusal Reason
The development was refused due to its location in an Area of High Amenity where it would result in significant visual impact and woodland loss, coupled with the applicant's failure to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed dwelling and its 90-metre driveway would necessitate the extensive removal of mature woodland within an Area of High Amenity, resulting in an intrusive and incongruous feature that fails to integrate into the landscape.
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of a demonstrable functional social or economic need to reside in this rural area, contrary to the Council's settlement strategy and Objective CPO 6.41.
- Insufficient information was submitted regarding the protection of the adjacent stream (hydrologically linked to Natura 2000 sites), surface water management (SuDS), and the feasibility of water/wastewater connections.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 6.41CPO 6.42CPO 6.44CPO 12.34CPO 13.9CPO 13.10CPO 14.13CPO 17.35CPO 17.8CPO 17.18CPO 17.20CPO 17.21CPO 17.22CPO 17.26Table 6.3ASH 12ASH 14
Decision Document Summary
This application sought permission for a single-storey, three-bedroom dwelling and a 90m driveway at Cronroe, Ashford, Co. Wicklow, a site located within an Area of High Amenity and formerly part of the Cronroe Demesne. The Planning Authority refused permission because the elevated site selection would cause significant environmental and visual damage through woodland clearance and excessive excavation. Furthermore, the applicant did not satisfy the rural housing eligibility criteria, and the pr...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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