Core Refusal Reason
The proposal represents an inappropriate encroachment into the open countryside that fails to integrate into the landscape due to its visual prominence and the removal of significant roadside hedgerow, while also failing to demonstrate safe wastewater disposal in accordance with EPA standards.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development would result in an encroachment into the open countryside, blurring the distinction between the settlement of Philipstown and the rural area, thereby creating a harmful precedent for urban sprawl.
- The proposed dwelling would be visually prominent and fail to integrate into the local landscape, a situation exacerbated by the required removal of approximately 65m of mature roadside hedgerow to facilitate vehicular access.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that the site is suitable for the safe disposal of domestic effluent, as the site characterisation report did not comply with the EPA Code of Practice regarding high water table levels and percolation area sizing.
Cited Policies (CDP)
HOU 38HOU 41HOU 42IU 18NGB 6NBG 9HOU 45HOU 46HOU 47HOU 40MOV 56ENV 39IU 16IU 17IU 19IU 26Section 13.9.4Section 13.9.15Section 13.9.16
Decision Document Summary
This application sought permission for a 125sqm single-storey dwelling and wastewater treatment system at Ardlaraghan, Dunleer, Co. Louth, located within Rural Policy Zone 2 (Area Under Strong Urban Influence). Although the applicant satisfied the local housing need criteria, the proposal was refused because it was deemed an inappropriate encroachment into the open countryside that would erode the rural character and settlement boundary of nearby Philipstown. Additionally, the development necess...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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