2561166
the retention and upgrading of existing agricultural entrance to provide a domestic entrance with the closure of the existing domestic and agricultural entrances. The retention of amendments and upgrading of the existing house including an extension to the side and the conversion and incorporation of an existing farm building into the extended house, as well as septic tank and landscaping. The removal of the blockwork of the partly built shed and the retention of a new domestic shed in yard next to the farm. Retention and completion of a new agricultural farmland entrance and updating the agricultural dry bed cattle shed and machinery store. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application
Core Refusal Reason
The development is located within the highly sensitive Core Zone of the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the current design, scale, and materials of the extension and barn conversion are considered sub-standard and visually intrusive.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The design and materials used in the house extension and barn conversion fail to respect the character of the original buildings and are inappropriate for a site of international heritage significance.
- The applicant has not demonstrated that the new domestic and agricultural entrances meet necessary safety standards regarding sightlines or adhere to the Meath Rural Design Guide.
- Significant unauthorized hedgerow and tree removal has occurred, causing visual damage to a high-sensitivity landscape, while the submitted Visual Impact Assessment was deemed inadequate due to a lack of photographic evidence.