Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need in an area under strong urban pressure, and the proposed suburban-style design was deemed visually incompatible with the sensitive Class 3 Special Coastal Landscape.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant did not satisfactorily demonstrate compliance with rural housing need criteria (RH2 and RH4) for a site located within an area under strong urban pressure (GCTPS).
- The proposed two-storey suburban design fails to visually integrate into the sensitive Class 3 Special Coastal Landscape, contravening design standards (DM Standard 8 and 46) intended to protect visual amenity.
- The proposal would create a traffic hazard and necessitate the removal of natural boundaries, undermining policy objective TWHS1 regarding the protection of trees, hedgerows, and stone walls.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RH2Policy Objective RH4Policy Objective RH9DM Standard 8DM Standard 46Policy Objective TWHS1DM Standard 37Policy Objective NBH 1Policy Objective NHB 2Policy Objective NHB 3Policy Objective WR 1DM Standard 50
Decision Document Summary
The proposal involves the construction of a dwelling house, garage, and wastewater treatment system at Stradbally West, Kilcolgan, Co. Galway. The site is situated in a rural area under strong urban pressure and is classified as a Class 3 Special Coastal Landscape. Galway County Council refused permission primarily because the applicant failed to prove a functional rural housing need as required by the County Development Plan. Furthermore, the planning authority determined that the suburban desi...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.