Core Refusal Reason
Failure to demonstrate a functional economic or social need to reside in a Rural Policy Zone A (Area under Urban Influence) and unresolved concerns regarding the site's capacity to safely accommodate a wastewater treatment system due to high groundwater levels.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to provide adequate documentary evidence to satisfy the 'social need' or 'economic need' criteria required for housing in an Area under Urban Influence.
- Site inspections revealed high water levels in the trial pit (500mm below ground level), raising significant concerns about compliance with the 2021 EPA Code of Practice for wastewater treatment.
- The proposal lacked essential technical details, including a comprehensive landscaping plan, specific external finishes, and clarification on the feasibility of a new connection to the public water mains for a greenfield site.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028Chapter 2 – Core Strategy and Settlement PolicyChapter 3 – People, Places and HousingSection 3.10 Rural Area TypesTable 3.2: Rural Housing Need CriteriaPolicy Objective PPH 3.13Chapter 7 – Infrastructure, Transport and CommunicationsSection 7.8 Water ServicesChapter 12 – Development Management StandardsSection 12.7 Rural House Design ConsiderationsSection 12.24 Roads and Transportation
Decision Document Summary
The proposal involves the construction of a 120.80sqm single-storey dwelling, garage, and wastewater treatment system on a 0.280-hectare greenfield site in Cloonsellan, Ballymurray. The site is situated in an 'Area under Urban Influence' where strict rural housing need criteria apply. The Planning Authority determined that the applicant had not sufficiently demonstrated a social or economic link to the area. Furthermore, the Environment Department raised objections based on observed high groundw...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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