Core Refusal Reason
The proposal contravenes road safety policy TRANS 22 regarding access to strategic regional roads and fails to adequately demonstrate both a genuine local rural housing need and the absence of more suitable alternative sites within the family landholding.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed development involves a new access onto the R-430-233 Strategic Regional Road where speed limits exceed 50kmph, which directly contravenes Policy Objective TRANS 22 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027.
- The applicant has failed to demonstrate that alternative sites are unavailable within the family landholding that could be accessed via a local road, which is the preferred option of the Planning Authority to ensure road safety.
- Insufficient evidence was provided to establish a genuine local rural housing need for the applicants within an area designated as being under 'strong urban influence', specifically regarding the lack of address details in school attendance records.
Cited Policies (CDP)
TRANS 22Appendix 7National Policy Objective 19National Policy Objective 20
Decision Document Summary
William McDonald and Aine Ramsbottom applied for permission to construct a 229sqm two-storey dwelling, shed, and wastewater treatment system on a 0.405ha site at Moyadd, The Swan, Co. Laois. The site is located in a rural area under strong urban influence and proposes a new entrance onto the R-430-233 Strategic Regional Road. While the physical design and siting of the house were considered acceptable, the Planning Authority raised significant concerns regarding road safety and policy compliance...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.