Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development would materially contravene Policy TRANS 22 and Trans 23 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 by creating a new, unnecessary access onto a Regional Road (R-440) where speed limits exceed 50kph, compromising road safety.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposal materially contravenes Policy TRANS 22 and Trans 23 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027, which seek to prohibit unnecessary access onto strategic regional routes in areas where speed limits in excess of 50kph apply.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate the required 160m sightlines in both directions at the proposed entrance, providing only 90m, which is contrary to the Council's Road and Parking Standards and poses a significant traffic hazard.
- The Planning Authority is not satisfied that alternative sites within the family landholding, which would not require access onto the R-440, have been adequately explored to maintain road safety and the visual character of the area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy TRANS 22Trans 23National Policy Objective 19National Policy Objective 20Appendix 7Policy BNH 28Policy BNH 30Table 4.4Table 3.1
Decision Document Summary
Kayleigh Keenan sought permission for a 67.12sqm single-storey modular dwelling and effluent treatment system at Mountainfarm, Mountrath, Co. Laois. The site is located in a rural area fronting the R-440 Regional Road. While the applicant met the local housing need criteria as the daughter of a long-term landowner, the Planning Authority raised critical objections regarding road safety and policy compliance. The development was found to contravene transport policies TRANS 22 and 23, which restri...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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