Core Refusal Reason
The applicants failed to demonstrate a genuine local housing need or long-term intrinsic links to the area, and the proposal is contrary to restrictive policies governing development within the Lough Owel Water Catchment and High Amenity Area.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicants failed to meet the criteria for rural housing under CPO 9.1 and CPO 9.24, as they did not demonstrate long-term intrinsic links to the area or meet the five-year land ownership requirement for High Amenity Areas.
- The proposal is contrary to CPO 9.23, which restricts residential development in the Lough Owel Water Catchment Area to members of existing residential farm families, a condition the applicants do not satisfy.
- The development poses a potential risk to the Natura 2000 network (Lough Owel SPA/SAC) due to insufficient documentation regarding hydrological impacts, and fails to provide safe sightlines within the applicants' legal control.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 9.1CPO 9.2CPO 9.8CPO 9.13CPO 9.14CPO 9.17CPO 9.18CPO 9.19CPO 9.20CPO 9.23CPO 9.24CPO 12.4CPO 12.5CPO 12.6CPO 12.7CPO 12.13CPO 13.20CPO 13.21CPO 13.22CPO 13.23CPO 16.32CPO 16.33CPO 16.34
Decision Document Summary
Erin and James Walsh applied for outline permission to construct a new dwelling, garage, and wastewater treatment system at Walshestown North, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. The site is situated in a sensitive rural area designated as 'Under Strong Urban Influence,' a 'High Amenity Area,' and within the 'Water Catchment Area' for Lough Owel. Westmeath County Council refused the application because the proposal constitutes non-rural generated housing that fails to comply with strict local residency an...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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