Core Refusal Reason
The proposal was refused due to its location in a highly sensitive 'Iconic' landscape, failure to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need, potential negative impacts on nearby European protected sites (SAC/SPA) from effluent disposal, and lack of confirmed water supply.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development would negatively impact a Class 4 Iconic landscape and the residential amenity of neighbors due to its site configuration and elongated access.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine rural-generated housing need for this specific sensitive area and did not provide evidence of a feasible water supply connection.
- Potential significant adverse effects on the integrity of the Lough Carra/Mask Complex SAC and Lough Mask SPA cannot be ruled out, particularly regarding effluent disposal.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RH9DM Standard 8DM Standard 46Policy Objective NHB 1Policy Objective NHB 2Policy Objective NHB 3DM Standard 50Policy Objective RH4DM Standard 7DM Standard 36
Decision Document Summary
Tomas Halloran sought permission for a new dwelling house and wastewater treatment system at Cloughbrack Upper, an elevated site within a Class 4 (Iconic) landscape near Lough Mask. Galway County Council refused the application on four main grounds: the visual impact of the proposed access on the sensitive landscape, the applicant's failure to prove a local rural housing need, the potential ecological risk to nearby Natura 2000 sites from the proposed drainage arrangements, and the absence of a ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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