Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to unsuitable site conditions for wastewater treatment (poor drainage and peaty subsoil) and the potential for significant negative impacts on the integrity of the adjacent Kilkieran Bay & Islands SAC and on-site Annex I habitats.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The Planning Authority is not satisfied that the site can safely dispose of domestic effluent due to poor drainage, peaty subsoil, and observed water ponding, posing a risk to public health and surface water.
- The proposed development lacks sufficient safeguards for the Annex I wet heath habitat identified on-site, as the proposed protective fencing would overlap with necessary groundworks.
- Due to the site's gradient and poor drainage characteristics, the proposal poses a significant risk to the conservation objectives and integrity of the adjacent Kilkieran Bay & Islands Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Cited Policies (CDP)
Objective WW6DM Standard 38Objective NHB 1Objective NHB 2Objective NHB 3DM Standard 50Policy Objective RH 4Policy Objective RH 9Policy Objective FL1Policy Objective LCM 1Policy Objective LCM 2DM Standard 28DM Standard 67
Decision Document Summary
The proposal involves the construction of a single-storey dwelling house and a wastewater treatment system on a 0.214 ha site at Mweenish Island, Carna, located within a Class 3 Special Landscape Sensitivity area. While the applicant successfully demonstrated a rural housing need, the application was refused due to severe site constraints. Specifically, the low-lying, peaty nature of the site and observed surface water ponding make it unsuitable for safe effluent disposal in accordance with EPA ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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