Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development is located within the Hawkswood Bog Natural Heritage Area (NHA) and fails to comply with rural housing policy SSP-27 as alternative sites are available on the family landholding outside of the protected area.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development would materially contravene Policy BLP-04 of the Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 by risking habitat loss, fragmentation, and disturbance within the Hawkswood Bog Natural Heritage Area.
- The applicants failed to satisfy the requirements of Policy SSP-27 because alternative sites exist on the family landholding outside of the designated Area of Special Control/NHA.
- Granting permission would establish an undesirable precedent for similar developments within protected peatland habitats, cumulatively undermining the protection of nationally important ecological sites.
Cited Policies (CDP)
BLP-04BLP-05SSP-27BLO-24DMS-48DMS-97DMS-51DMS-52DMS-53Table 4.4Figure 4.22Table 4.21
Decision Document Summary
The proposal sought permission for a 154.7sqm bungalow, garage, and wastewater treatment system at Gorteen, Killeigh, Co. Offaly. The subject site is located within the Hawkswood Bog Natural Heritage Area (NHA), an area of high landscape sensitivity, and a Rural Area Under Strong Urban Influence. Offaly County Council refused the application on two main grounds: first, that the development would negatively impact the conservation value of the protected raised bog habitat (contravening Policy BLP...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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