Core Refusal Reason
The site is unsuitable for the safe disposal of domestic wastewater due to a high water table and poor percolation characteristics, posing a risk to public health and groundwater quality.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- Site inspections revealed a high water table just 230mm below ground level, which fails to meet the minimum 500mm unsaturated soil depth required by the EPA Code of Practice 2021.
- The presence of ponding, rushes, and existing French drains indicates poor natural drainage and an inability of the site to adequately attenuate and dispose of wastewater.
- Given the site's location over a regionally important aquifer with moderate vulnerability, the proposed wastewater system would be injurious to public health and contrary to the proper planning of the area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
2.6 Settlement Hierarchy2.7 Settlement Strategy3.9 Rural Housing3.10 Rural Area Types7.4 Road Transportation and Movement7.8 Water Services12.7 Rural House Design Considerations12.9 Domestic Garages/ShedsPolicy Objective PPH 3.13
Decision Document Summary
The applicants sought permission for a single-storey dwelling and domestic garage on a 0.38ha greenfield site in Corlis, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. While the proposal was considered broadly acceptable in terms of design and rural housing policy (Rural Policy Zone B), the Environment Department recommended refusal following a site inspection. The inspection confirmed that the site suffers from poor percolation and a high water table that does not comply with EPA standards, creating a significant r...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.