Core Refusal Reason
Failure to demonstrate a site-specific rural housing need in an area under strong urban influence, combined with concerns regarding ribbon development, visual impact, traffic safety, and inadequate wastewater treatment.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to establish a demonstrable site-specific rural housing need as required for an area designated as being under 'Strong Urban Influence' in the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027.
- The proposed development would exacerbate ribbon development and represent an excessive concentration of housing, leading to a loss of rural character and setting an undesirable future precedent.
- The proposal failed to meet essential technical and design standards, specifically regarding inadequate sightlines for traffic safety, non-compliance with the EPA Code of Practice for wastewater, and a visually obtrusive design requiring extensive hedgerow removal.
Cited Policies (CDP)
RUR DEV SP 1RUR DEV SP 2RD POL 1RD POL 2RD POL 3RD POL 9RD POL 38RD POL 48Chapter 9Chapter 11
Decision Document Summary
The application proposed the construction of a two-storey dwelling, detached garage, and wastewater treatment system on a 0.286ha greenfield site at Ballygortagh, Summer Hill, Co. Meath. The site is situated in a 'Rural Area under Strong Urban Influence' where residential development is restricted to those with a functional rural need. Meath County Council refused permission on five grounds: the lack of evidence for a rural-generated housing need, the exacerbation of ribbon development, a design...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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