Core Refusal Reason
Failure to demonstrate a compliant local rural housing need and the creation of a new access onto a Strategic Regional Road in contravention of safety and transport policies.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of a long-term residency or a functional need to live in the rural area, thus failing to meet the 'Local Need' criteria for a 'Stronger Rural Area' as set out in Table 4.4 of the Development Plan.
- The proposed development involves creating a new access onto the R430 Strategic Regional Road in an area with an 80kph speed limit, which materially contravenes Policy TRANS 22 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027.
- Granting permission would set an undesirable precedent for similar developments, potentially reducing road capacity and interfering with the safety and free-flowing nature of traffic on a strategic route.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Table 4.4Policy TRANS 22Appendix 7National Policy Objective 19National Policy Objective 20
Decision Document Summary
Niall Byrne sought planning permission for a single-storey dwelling, domestic garage, and associated site works on a 0.710ha site at Towlerton, Co. Laois. The site is located in a 'Stronger Rural Area' and fronts the R430 Strategic Regional Road. Although the design was considered acceptable, the application was refused because the applicant did not demonstrate a genuine local rural housing need and the proposed new entrance onto a high-speed strategic road was deemed a material contravention of...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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