Core Refusal Reason
The proposal was refused due to inadequate wastewater treatment arrangements that conflict with existing systems and pose risks to water quality, alongside poor siting and design that would necessitate significant hedgerow removal and negatively impact the rural landscape character.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed wastewater treatment system is located on top of an existing permitted system for an adjacent dwelling and lacks sufficient information to ensure the protection of water quality and nearby Natura 2000 sites.
- The development would require the removal of a significant length of mature native roadside hedgerow, which is considered uncharacteristic of the area and would prevent the dwelling from integrating into the landscape.
- The siting of the dwelling within an open landholding devoid of natural screening would result in an obtrusive and unnatural feature that would negatively impact the visual amenity and rural character of the area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 9.1CPO 9.8CPO 10.100CPO 12.6CPO 16.32CPO 16.33
Decision Document Summary
This application by Michael Dalton proposed the construction of a 262.5sqm storey-and-a-half dwelling and a domestic garage at Adamstown, Castletown Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath. Although the applicant demonstrated compliance with local housing need policies, the Planning Authority refused permission because the wastewater treatment proposals were contradictory and posed environmental risks to a nearby watercourse. Furthermore, the council determined that the scale and siting of the development woul...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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