Core Refusal Reason
The proposal for tourist accommodation in an un-serviced rural area lacks sufficient justification for its location outside of established settlements and would result in unsustainable, car-dependent development.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development materially contravenes Policy DMS-82 as it is not located within a town or village and lacks a comprehensive justification for its rural location or evidence of being ancillary to existing facilities.
- The project would militate against the preservation of the rural environment and lead to demands for the uneconomic provision of public services in an un-serviced area.
- The proposal would result in an unsustainable pattern of development by creating car-dependent tourist infrastructure in an isolated location, setting an undesirable precedent for random tourist accommodation.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027Policy BLP-24Policy BLP-25Policy BLP-26Policy TRP-05Policy TRP-06DMS-82DMS-84
Decision Document Summary
Louise and Richard Kennedy sought permission for three log cabins for tourist use, a new vehicular entrance, and a wastewater treatment system at Knockdrin, Rhode, Co. Offaly. The 1.24-hectare site is located in a rural area with moderate landscape sensitivity. Offaly County Council refused the application primarily because the proposal contravenes Development Management Standard DMS-82, which requires tourist accommodation to be located within settlements unless a specific need is proven. The p...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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