Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development would create an unnecessary new access point onto a Strategic Regional Road (R-425) where an 80kph speed limit applies, contravening specific road safety policies and potentially compromising the capacity and safety of the regional road network.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The creation of a new entrance onto the R-425 Strategic Regional Road materially contravenes Policy TRANS 22 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027, which prohibits unnecessary access onto such routes where speed limits exceed 50km/h.
- The proposed development, by itself or by the precedent it would set, would lead to a proliferation of similar developments, thereby reducing the capacity of the strategic road and interfering with the safety and free-flowing nature of traffic.
- The proposed dwelling fails to meet the minimum setback requirement of 25m from the fence line as specified in the Council’s Roads & Parking Standards 2007 for regional roads.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy TRANS 22Table 4.4Appendix 7Roads & Parking Standards 2007National Policy Objective 19National Policy Objective 20National Policy Objective 64National Policy Objective 13National Policy Objective 27
Decision Document Summary
Ruari Dunne and Aoife Sullivan sought permission to construct a 207 sqm dwelling, garage, and a new site entrance by modifying an existing agricultural gate at Cashel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. The site is located in a 'Stronger Rural Area' fronting the R-425 Strategic Regional Road. Although the applicant demonstrated a local housing need as the son of a long-term landowner, the application was refused primarily because the proposed access onto a high-speed strategic route contravenes local and na...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.