Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development is located on an elevated, exposed site where the required removal of extensive roadside hedgerow to facilitate access would result in a visually obtrusive dwelling that fails to integrate into the landscape and contributes to the over-proliferation of one-off housing in an area unable to absorb further development.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The site's elevated and exposed nature, combined with a lack of natural screening or a substantial backdrop, renders it unsuitable for a dwelling as it would be visually prominent and fail to integrate into the rural landscape.
- The required removal of approximately 55 meters of mature native roadside hedgerow to achieve visibility splays would significantly damage the rural character and visual amenity of the area.
- The immediate area suffers from an over-proliferation of one-off rural housing, and the landscape has reached a point where it cannot absorb further development without further eroding its rural character.
Cited Policies (CDP)
HOU 41HOU 42HOU 46HOU 47Section 13.9.4Section 13.9.14Section 13.9.15ENV 39NGB 6IU 16IU 17IU 18IU 19IU 26
Decision Document Summary
Luke Sharkey sought permission for a single-storey dwelling, wastewater treatment system, and a new vehicular entrance at Almondstown, Clogherhead, Co. Louth. The site is located within Rural Policy Zone 2, an area under strong urban influence. While the applicant demonstrated compliance with local housing need criteria (HOU 41), the application was refused due to the site's elevated topography and the necessity to remove 55m of mature hedgerow for access. The Planning Authority concluded that t...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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