Core Refusal Reason
Failure to demonstrate compliance with local housing need criteria, concerns regarding visual prominence due to site topography, and inadequate traffic sightlines on a Regional Road.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to provide a Local Need Questionnaire or land registry documentation to demonstrate a functional economic or social requirement to reside in an 'Area Under Strong Urban Influence' as per Policy CPO 9.1.
- The proposed two-storey dwelling is situated on an elevated portion of the site (3.97m – 5.26m above road level), creating significant concerns regarding its visual prominence and failure to integrate into the landscape.
- The proposed access onto the R-393 Regional Road fails to meet the mandatory 150m sightline requirement, and the applicant has not secured the necessary legal easements from third-party landowners to achieve safe visibility.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 9.1CPO 9.2CPO 9.8CPO 9.13CPO 16.32CPO 16.33CPO 16.34CPO 12.14CPO 12.24CPO 12.25CPO 10.52
Decision Document Summary
Sean & Emma Kiernan sought planning permission for a two-storey dwelling, garage, and wastewater treatment system at Kildallan, Sonna, Co. Westmeath. The site is located in a rural area categorized as being under 'Strong Urban Influence' and is accessed via the R-393 Regional Road. The application was refused (via a request for further information highlighting critical failures) because the applicants did not prove a local housing need, the house design was considered too conspicuous on elevated...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.