Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development is considered substandard as it fails to meet the minimum mandatory design standards for apartment units, specifically regarding floor areas, room widths, and storage provision as set out in national guidelines.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed residential units fail to meet the minimum mandatory requirements for floor areas, room widths, and storage as set out in the 'Design Standards for New Apartments - Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2023)'.
- The development fails to achieve a high standard of residential design and lacks adequate provision for bulky storage and high-quality landscaping.
- Granting permission for such substandard accommodation would be contrary to national guidelines and would set an undesirable precedent for similar developments in the area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
NGB 6CS 2CS 5SS 38SS 39HOU 3HOU 11HOU 15HOU 17HOU 18HOU 19HOU 20HOU 31BHC 1BHC 2BHC 3BHC 6BHC 7BHC 9BHC 20BHC 21BHC 31BHC 32BHC 33BHC 34IU 19IU 21IU 13
Decision Document Summary
This application sought permission for the change of use of an existing commercial unit on Market Street, Ardee, Co. Louth, into three self-contained residential units. The site is located within the town centre, an Architectural Conservation Area, and a Zone of Archaeological Potential. While the principle of town centre living was considered acceptable under the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027, the application was refused because the proposed units were significantly below the minimum ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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