Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to failure to demonstrate a local housing need, traffic safety concerns regarding intensification of access onto a national road (N52), and negative visual impact on the rural landscape.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to demonstrate compliance with the local housing need criteria for an area under strong urban influence as set out in CPO 9.1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan.
- The proposed development would result in the intensification of an access onto the N52 national road, which would harm the capacity and safety of the national road network and associated junctions.
- The siting of the dwelling in an open, exposed location near the M6 would be visually incongruous, out of character with the rural context, and would set an undesirable future precedent.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 9.1CPO 9.2CPO 9.22CPO 10.45CPO 10.46CPO 10.48
Decision Document Summary
Brian Henry sought outline permission for a new dwelling, wastewater treatment system, and a new access road at Kilbeggan South, Co. Westmeath, on a 0.37ha site accessed via a roundabout serving the N52. Westmeath County Council refused the application because the applicant did not prove a genuine rural housing need, the proposal would unsafely intensify traffic on a national road, and the development would be visually intrusive and contrary to rural design guidelines....SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.