Core Refusal Reason
The application lacks sufficient information to rule out adverse impacts on Natura 2000 sites and fails to demonstrate legal access or the visual impact of the proposed roadway in a High Amenity Area.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The Appropriate Assessment Screening Report is inadequate as it fails to address potential hydrological links to the Lough Owel SAC and SPA, requiring a revised assessment to determine if a Stage 2 Natura Impact Statement is necessary.
- The applicant has not provided evidence of legal permission to use the private access road, necessitating signed affidavits from all affected landowners to ensure the development is accessible.
- The proposed access route, currently a farm field, requires detailed engineering and design specifications to assess its visual and environmental impact on the High Amenity Area and Proposed Natural Heritage Area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 9.1CPO 9.2CPO 9.8CPO 9.13CPO 12.4CPO 13.20CPO 13.29CPO 13.30CPO 16.32CPO 16.33CPO 16.34
Decision Document Summary
This application seeks permission for a house, garage, and wastewater system in Balrath, Co. Westmeath, situated within the Lough Owel High Amenity Area and near sensitive Natura 2000 sites. Although the applicant demonstrated compliance with local housing need policies, the Planning Authority issued a request for Further Information. The primary concerns involve the potential for significant environmental impacts on protected habitats, the lack of clarity regarding the construction of a new acc...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.