Core Refusal Reason
The Planning Authority recommended a request for Further Information due to the applicant's failure to fully demonstrate a local rural housing need, concerns regarding the intensity of development on the landowner's holdings, and significant traffic safety issues related to the proposed site access and sightlines.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to provide explicit confirmation that they have never owned a house in the 'local rural area', which is a mandatory requirement to satisfy the Local Rural Housing Need criteria for an Area Under Strong Urban Influence.
- There are significant concerns regarding the cumulative impact of development on the landowner's property, where at least six planning applications for dwellings have been identified, necessitating further clarification on landownership and future development proposals.
- The proposed site access is non-compliant with traffic safety standards as it is located only 52m from a junction with a Regional Road (R420) where a minimum of 100m is required, and the application fails to demonstrate that the required 90m sight distances are achievable.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Table 4.4 of the Laois CDP 2021-2027Policy DM BNH 5Policy DM BNH 27Policy DM BNH 28Policy DM BNH 30Appendix 7 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027Roads and Parking Standards 2007
Decision Document Summary
This application by Kellie McNamara seeks outline planning permission for a two-storey dwelling and effluent treatment system on a 0.303-hectare site at Lea, Portarlington, Co. Laois. The site is situated within an 'Area Under Strong Urban Influence' as defined by the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027. Although the development's character was deemed acceptable in principle, the Planning Authority recommended a request for Further Information rather than a grant of permission. This decision...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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