Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused because the applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need, the proposed access onto a protected regional road posed a traffic hazard, and the development would result in an intrusive encroachment into the open countryside with potential adverse impacts on a Special Area of Conservation.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant does not meet the local rural housing need criteria for Rural Policy Zone 1 as their qualifying homestead is located within the urban settlement boundary of Omeath.
- The proposed development would create a traffic hazard by intensifying access onto the protected R173 regional road without meeting required sightline visibility standards or qualifying for specific exemptions.
- The proposal represents an intrusive encroachment into the open countryside that lacks natural integration, would negatively impact a high-value landscape, and lacks sufficient information to rule out adverse effects on the Carlingford Shore SAC.
Cited Policies (CDP)
NGB 6HOU 41Section 3.17.4Section 3.17.6Table 3.4Table 3.5HOU 38HOU 42Section 13.9.4Section 13.9.5Section 13.9.6Section 13.9.7Section 13.9.8Section 13.9.9Section 13.9.10Section 13.19.14Section 13.16.17Table 13.13ENV 39IU 19MOV 56Table 7.10HOU 47NGB 3
Decision Document Summary
Clodagh Elmore applied for permission to construct a new dwelling, garage, and wastewater treatment system on an exposed hillside site at Ballyoonan, Omeath, Co. Louth. The site is located just outside the settlement boundary along the R173 protected regional road. Louth County Council refused the application because the applicant failed to prove a rural housing need, the access was deemed unsafe for a high-traffic regional road, and the development would cause urban sprawl and visual scarring i...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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