Core Refusal Reason
The structure's design and use are not reflective of an agricultural building, it lacks a viable agricultural landholding, and the application failed to provide an Appropriate Assessment screening report regarding potential impacts on Natura 2000 sites.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development's high-quality design, residential-style finishes, and internal layout are not reflective of agricultural storage, failing to integrate into the rural environment and setting an undesirable precedent.
- The proposal is contrary to CPO 16.53 as the building is not part of a genuine agricultural landholding and fails to maintain the required 100m separation distance from third-party dwellings.
- In the absence of an Appropriate Assessment screening report, the applicant failed to demonstrate that the development would not have significant adverse effects on the hydrologically linked Lough Ennell SAC and SPA.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 16.53CPO 12.6CPO 9.28CPO 9.29CPO 9.30CPO 9.31CPO 9.32CPO 9.39CPO 12.4CPO 12.5CPO 12.7
Decision Document Summary
The applicant sought retention permission for a 147.6 sqm two-storey agricultural storage building at Glascorn, Ballinea, Co. Westmeath, on a site already containing a detached dwelling. The Planning Authority refused the application primarily because the structure's appearance—featuring double-glazed windows, velux lights, and high-quality finishes—is akin to a residential unit rather than an agricultural store. Furthermore, the inspector noted the lack of a viable agricultural landholding to j...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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