Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the lack of a revised Appropriate Assessment for a significantly larger footprint adjacent to a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and because the design was deemed visually obtrusive and non-subordinate within an Iconic Landscape.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed development has a substantively larger footprint than previously approved, and in the absence of a revised Appropriate Assessment, potential adverse effects on the integrity of The Twelve Bens/Garraun Complex SAC cannot be ruled out.
- The extension is not subordinate to the existing dwelling in terms of scale, proportion, and depth, resulting in a visually obtrusive feature that fails to effectively assimilate into the sensitive rural setting.
- The proposal is considered to materially contravene multiple policy objectives and development management standards of the Galway County Development Plan 2022-2028 regarding natural heritage, landscape sensitivity, and design.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective NHB 1Policy Objective NHB 2Policy Objective WR 1DM Standard 50Policy Objective RH 9Policy Objective LCM 2Policy Objective LCM 3DM Standard 4
Decision Document Summary
The applicants sought permission for revised extension and renovation plans at Bunowen, Galway, on a site overlooking Lough Fee within a Class 4 Iconic Landscape. The proposal involved a significantly larger footprint than a previously granted permission (Ref. 23/61553). Galway County Council refused the application primarily because no new Appropriate Assessment was provided to address the potential impacts of the larger footprint on the adjoining Twelve Bens/Garraun Complex SAC. Additionally, ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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