Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine local housing need under the specific rural housing policy criteria, and the development would result in significant negative visual impacts on a sensitive landscape due to the extensive removal of roadside boundaries required for access.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient empirical evidence to satisfy the 'Local Needs Qualifying Criteria' for Rural Policy Zone 1, specifically failing to demonstrate that their health condition necessitates living in this specific rural environment.
- The proposed development would require the removal of approximately 150 linear metres of native roadside hedgerow to achieve sightlines, creating an obtrusive and incongruous feature that would detract from the visual amenity of an Area of High Scenic Quality.
- The application lacked adequate technical information to demonstrate compliance with the EPA Code of Practice for wastewater treatment and SuDS requirements for surface water, and failed to rule out significant adverse impacts on the Carlingford Lough Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Cited Policies (CDP)
NGB 3NGB 6HOU 41HOU 45HOU 46HOU 47HOU 40HOU 42MOV 56ENV 39IU 16IU 17IU 18NBG 37IU 19IU 26Section 13.9.4Section 13.9.7Section 13.9.8Section 13.9.9Section 13.9.10Section 13.19.14Section 13.16.17Section 13.9.15Section 13.9.16
Decision Document Summary
This application proposed a single-storey, two-bedroom dwelling and a wastewater treatment plant at Cornamucklagh, Omeath, Co. Louth, within a Rural Policy Zone designated as an 'Area Under Strong Urban Influence and of Significant Landscape Value'. Louth County Council refused permission because the applicant did not meet the local housing need criteria for the zone. Furthermore, the planning authority determined that the extensive removal of roadside boundaries to facilitate access would be vi...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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