Core Refusal Reason
The site is unsuitable for the safe disposal of domestic effluent due to poor drainage characteristics and a high winter water table (800mm) that fails to meet the minimum separation requirements of the EPA Code of Practice (2021).
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The site exhibits poor drainage characteristics and a high winter water table recorded at 800mm below ground level, which prevents the satisfactory treatment and disposal of domestic effluent.
- The proposed ground-level soil polishing filter does not comply with the EPA Code of Practice (2021) regarding minimum separation distances, posing an unacceptable risk to public health and groundwater quality.
- The development would be contrary to Policy Objectives WW6 and NHB3, and DM Standard 38, as it has the potential to negatively impact the conservation objectives of nearby protected European sites.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RH 3Policy Objective RH 9Policy Objective NBH 1Policy Objective NHB 3Policy Objective WR 1Policy Objective WW 6Policy Objective WW 10DM Standard 6DM Standard 7DM Standard 8DM Standard 11DM Standard 28DM Standard 36DM Standard 38DM Standard 47DM Standard 63RH14LCM 1LCM2
Decision Document Summary
The applicant sought permission for a 4-bedroom dwelling, garage, and wastewater treatment system at Cloonminda, Williamstown, Co. Galway, located in a 'Structurally Weak Area' and a 'Low Sensitivity Landscape'. While the dwelling's design was considered acceptable, the application was refused due to critical site drainage issues. Technical monitoring revealed a high winter water table of 800mm, which means the proposed wastewater treatment system cannot meet the mandatory safety standards of th...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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