2461691
for the: 1) construction of a housing development with a total of 23 no. dwellings in semi-detached, terrace, apartment and duplex configurations, consisting of 2 no. 4-bed semi-detached houses, 2 no. 3-bed semi-detached houses, 3 no. 4-bed terrace houses, 4 no. 3-bed terrace houses, 5 no. 3-bed duplex units, 4 no. 1-bed apartments and 3 no. 3-bed apartments. 2) Associated development works including the extension and upgrade of granted pedestrian and vehicular access under planning reference 21/617, all hard and soft landscaping, internal roads and footpaths, cycle and car parking, public and private amenities and open spaces, boundary treatments, public lighting, and all other ancillary works above and below ground including connections to water supply, surface water infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure and utilities. Gross floor space of proposed works: 2,364 sqm
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development was refused due to excessive density and poor layout/placemaking that is at odds with the rural settlement context, combined with a failure to demonstrate adequate infrastructure capacity for wastewater and surface water disposal, posing a risk to the Lough Corrib SAC.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed density of 32.85 units per hectare is considered excessive for a Level 7 rural settlement like Milltown, representing a substantial over-development that fails to respect the village context or provide adequate usable open space.
- The applicant failed to provide confirmation of feasibility or necessary third-party consents for connections to public wastewater and surface water infrastructure, leading to concerns regarding public health and environmental protection.
- Due to the site's proximity to the Lough Corrib SAC (0.27km) and the absence of satisfactory drainage details, the Planning Authority could not exclude adverse impacts on the integrity of European sites.