Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development would form an incongruous and intrusive feature in a sensitive landscape (Area of High Amenity) due to its elevated position, suburban design elements, and the removal of roadside hedgerows, particularly when alternative less-sensitive sites were available on the family landholding.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The site is located within the Southern Hills Area of High Amenity and is considered too elevated and exposed, resulting in a development that would be an intrusive feature in the landscape.
- The proposed dwelling incorporates suburban design features, such as a protruding double-height glazed element, which fails to comply with the Wicklow Single Rural Houses Design Guidelines regarding landscape integration.
- Alternative sites that are less elevated and better capable of assimilating into the landscape are available to the applicant within the existing family landholding cluster to the north.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 6.1CPO 6.41CPO 6.42CPO 6.44CPO 12.34CPO 12.48CPO 13.16CPO 17.35Appendix 2Appendix 7Table 6.3
Decision Document Summary
Lauren Byrne sought permission for a 254sq.m dwelling and domestic garage at Hillbrook Lower, Carnew, Co. Wicklow. Although the applicant was deemed to have a legitimate social and economic need for a rural house, the application was refused by Wicklow County Council. The refusal was based on the site's location within a visually sensitive 'Area of High Amenity', where the elevated nature of the proposal and the required removal of roadside hedgerows were deemed to negatively impact the rural ch...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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