Core Refusal Reason
The applicants failed to demonstrate a genuine local housing need as their current residence is located approximately 7.2km from the subject site, exceeding the 5km limit prescribed for non-family owned land in an agriculturally zoned area.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposal fails to comply with the Rural Housing Policy as the applicants reside 7.2km from the site, which is outside the 5km threshold required to establish a local social or economic need on land not in family ownership.
- The development would materially contravene the 'I: Agriculture' zoning objective and Objective EDTO1.17 of the Athy Local Area Plan, which aims to protect agricultural land from urban-generated housing encroachment.
- The application lacks essential technical and design compliance, specifically regarding an inappropriate roof-to-wall ratio, excessive garage height, missing entrance treatment details, and the absence of a required Appropriate Assessment screening report.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Athy Local Area Plan 2021-2027Objective EDTO1.17Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029Section 3.13.3Table 3.4Policy HOP12Policy HO P32Section 15.4.13Appendix 4 (Rural Housing Design Guide)Table 6.3Table 11.4Table 11.5
Decision Document Summary
James Roycroft and Lisa McCarthy proposed the construction of a dwelling house, domestic garage, and wastewater treatment system on a 0.220ha site at Barrowford, Athy, Co. Kildare. The site is situated on agriculturally zoned land within the Athy Local Area Plan. Kildare County Council refused the application because the applicants did not meet the local need criteria, living 7.2km away from the site rather than the required 5km. Furthermore, the planner determined the project would represent sp...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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