2460587
See site notice for full development description. Retention for 1. ESB substation and 2 no. agricultural storage and maintenance buildings 2. one mixed use for use for storage, maintenance, workshop, educational and recreational use 3. 'Pavilion' Wooden clad communal canteen/dining building and commercial kitchen. 4. Reconstruction, alterations and extension to 'Belfry' building incorporating reception, meeting room, offices, toilets, canteen, kitchen and staff facilities 5. Reconstruction, repurpose and extension of previously derelict 'long barn' to comprise 27 no bedroom units 6. Retention and completion of 1 no. two storey accommodation building to provide 51 no bedrooms together with unfinished attached self contained residential unit 7. hard standing, roads, access, carparking, set down, and recreational areas to provide play areas and outdoor seating etc. PERMISSION FOR RETENTION ON A TEMPORARY BASIS for 1. security kiosk, controlled barrier and gate lodge 2. Conversion and use of part of a mixed use admin/educational building to provide emergency residential accommodation for displaced persons
Core Refusal Reason
The development lacks mandatory environmental assessments (AA and EIA) and fails to justify its scale and use within a highly sensitive Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, posing significant risks to protected European sites and contravening regional settlement and tourism strategies.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The Planning Authority cannot be satisfied beyond reasonable scientific doubt that the development will not adversely affect the integrity of the Wicklow Mountains SAC and SPA, requiring an Appropriate Assessment that was not submitted.
- The development represents unsustainable footloose residential development in a rural Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, contravening the County's settlement strategy and tourism objectives due to a lack of justification for its scale and long-term use.
- There is a critical lack of information regarding wastewater treatment, surface water management, and traffic safety, leading to concerns over public health, environmental pollution, and road hazards.