2560928
the development will consist of the change of use of part of the existing driving range to a wildlife rehabilitation and teaching hospital comprising of a one-and-half storey timber-clad, with red corrugated metal roof, veterinary hospital building within a new secure fenced compound. Associated facilities include single story, timber-clad units forming visitor facilities, a workshop and isolation facilities for the hospital; single storey caged compounds for birds and mammals including seal pools. Additional works include repair and extension of the existing access road to the site, general landscaping and access pathways, provision of soak away, proprietary wastewater pump station and connection to the mains wastewater plus associated ancillary site works. The application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) for the proposed development, which details potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures
Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the submission of outdated ecological surveys that failed to rule out adverse impacts on nearby Natura 2000 sites, and the inappropriate siting of a 'highly vulnerable' development within high-risk flood zones.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The submitted Natura Impact Statement and Bird Surveys are outdated and insufficient to rule out significant adverse effects on the integrity of the Boyne Estuary SPA and Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC.
- The proposed development is classified as 'highly vulnerable' and is located within Flood Zones A and B, making it an inappropriate land use for a site at high risk of fluvial and coastal flooding.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate adequate access and egress for emergency vehicles during flood events and did not sufficiently address concerns regarding the potential spread of contagious diseases, such as Avian Influenza, to protected bird species.