Core Refusal Reason
The development was refused due to traffic safety hazards on a national road resulting from substandard sight lines and the intensification of access, as well as the negative visual impact of the proposed boundary walls on the rural character of the area.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The extensive front boundary walls are deemed an obtrusive feature that would seriously injure the visual amenity of the rural area and set an undesirable precedent for similar developments.
- The applicant failed to provide the required 3m x 215m sight lines and an adequate set-down area, rendering the access substandard and a danger to public safety on the N78 National Secondary Route.
- The proposal materially contravenes Policy TRANS 17 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027, which seeks to avoid new or intensified access points onto national roads where speed limits exceed 60kph.
Cited Policies (CDP)
RD 1RD 2Policy TRANS 17Laois County Council Roads & Parking Standards 2007
Decision Document Summary
This application by Patrick Berry sought to retain and modify an existing entrance and roadside boundary on a 0.4ha agricultural site at Ballycorman, Ballylinan, Co. Laois. The site is accessed via the N78 National Secondary Road. Laois County Council refused permission on the grounds that the proposed boundary treatment is visually inappropriate for a rural area and that the access fails to meet necessary safety requirements. Specifically, the development lacks sufficient sight visibility and a...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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