Core Refusal Reason
The development is located in an unserviced rural area unsuitable for a place of worship, contravenes specific development plan policies regarding sustainable location, and lacks evidence of adequate wastewater treatment capacity.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposal materially contravenes Policy CPO 16.47 as the site is in a rural area not appropriately zoned or serviced for a place of worship, resulting in unsustainable car dependency and traffic on a substandard road network.
- The intensity of the use adversely impacts the residential amenity of adjoining dwellings and the visual character of the rural area through increased traffic, noise, and general activity.
- It has not been demonstrated that the existing wastewater treatment system can accommodate the additional loading, creating a risk of environmental pollution and prejudice to public health.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 5.3CPO 9.14CPO 9.17CPO 9.18CPO 9.19CPO 9.20Chapter 16Section 16.6CPO 16.47
Decision Document Summary
The application sought retention permission for the change of use of a residential dwelling to a convent and chapel in a rural area at Billistown, Delvin, Co. Westmeath. The proposal was refused by Westmeath County Council as the site's remote location is inconsistent with Policy CPO 16.47, which requires places of worship to be in accessible, serviced urban areas to avoid unsustainable car-based travel and impacts on rural residential amenity. Furthermore, the planning authority was not satisfi...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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