Core Refusal Reason
The site is unsuitable for the safe disposal of domestic effluent due to shallow soil depth and high bedrock levels, posing a significant risk to public health and groundwater quality.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The site fails to meet the minimum soil depth requirements of the EPA Code of Practice for wastewater treatment due to bedrock being present at or near the surface (0.2m).
- Discharge of effluent in an area of extreme groundwater vulnerability over a regionally important aquifer would be prejudicial to public health and water quality.
- The development would materially contravene policy objectives intended to protect European sites, specifically the Lough Corrib SAC and SPA, from potential contamination.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Section 4.6Section 6.17Section 8.13Section 10.6Section 10.15DM Standard 50DM Standard 36DM Standard 28Policy Objective RH 1Policy Objective NHB 1Policy Objective NHB 2Policy Objective NHB 3Policy Objective WW 6
Decision Document Summary
Jennifer Mulryan sought permission for a two-storey dwelling, garage, and wastewater treatment system at An Laighdeacán, Claregalway, Co. Galway. The site is located in a rural area within the Rural Metropolitan Area. While the applicant successfully demonstrated a rural housing need, the application was refused primarily because the site conditions—characterized by very shallow soil and high bedrock—are unsuitable for on-site effluent disposal under the EPA Code of Practice. This creates an una...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.