Core Refusal Reason
The proposal was refused due to significant unauthorised site infilling, an excessive house design that would negatively impact visual amenities, and a failure to address environmental concerns regarding invasive species and wastewater disposal suitability.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development involves significant unauthorised infill material that alters ground levels and contravenes previous planning conditions, thereby perpetuating unauthorised development on the site.
- The proposed house design is excessive in massing, scale, and height, failing to effectively assimilate into the receiving landscape and seriously injuring the visual and residential amenities of the rural area.
- The applicant failed to provide a comprehensive management plan for Japanese Knotweed or a new site suitability assessment for wastewater disposal following extensive site infilling, posing a potential risk to public health and receiving waters.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RH9DM Standard 8Policy Objective IS 1Policy Objective IS 2Objective WW6DM Standard 38Galway County Development Plan 2022-2028
Decision Document Summary
The applicant sought permission for a change of house plan and associated services at Na Foraí Maola Thiar, Bearna, on a site with a previous grant of permission (Ref. 20/1356). The site is located in a sensitive Class 3 Special Landscape designation within the Gaeltacht. Galway County Council refused the application primarily because the site had been subject to significant unauthorised infilling that altered ground levels. Furthermore, the revised house design was deemed too bulky and visually...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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