Core Refusal Reason
The proposal constitutes overdevelopment of a rural site and fails to meet the criteria for dependent relative accommodation, while also lacking adequate wastewater treatment capacity for the increased loading.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development fails to comply with Policy Objective RH 12 and DM Standard 5 as it is a detached structure with no provided justification for its use as an independent living unit, leading to haphazard rural development.
- The proposal represents overdevelopment of the 0.21-hectare site, exceeding habitable floor area requirements under DM Standard 9 when combined with the existing 400sqm, 7-bedroom dwelling.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that the existing private effluent treatment system could accommodate the additional loading, creating risks to public health, water quality, and the conservation objectives of the Galway Bay Complex SAC/SPA.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RC 2Policy Objective RH 12Policy Objective LCM 3Policy Objective WW 6Policy Objective WW 11Chapter 15 DM StandardsDM Standard 5DM Standard 7DM Standard 8DM Standard 9DM Standard 11DM Standard 36DM Standard 38Policy Objective NBH 1Policy Objective NHB 2Policy Objective NHB 3Policy Objective WR 1DM Standard 50Policy Objective RH 11
Decision Document Summary
Maurice Finn sought retention permission for the change of use of a 63.6 sqm storage shed to an independent living unit at Gortard, Clarinbridge, Co. Galway. The site already contains a large 400sqm dwelling. Galway County Council refused the application because the detached unit did not meet the requirements for a 'granny flat' under the County Development Plan, lacked sufficient justification, and would result in overdevelopment. Furthermore, the existing wastewater treatment system was deemed...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.