23894
: change of use of a farmyard complex including open yard for use as a commercial vehicular depot in connection with a drain maintenance business; change of use of an existing farm building (377.7sq m ) for the maintenance of trucks; demolition of existing vacant dilapidated farm building (200 sq m) ; erection of wooden shiplap fencing of 1.8 m in height and approximately 80 m in length along part of the northern boundary of the commercial yard; erection of palisade fencing along the northern and eastern boundaries of the subject site, approximately 355 m in length and 2.3-2.6 m in height; extension of the existing open yard for the parking of trucks (approximately 1,140 sq m). The proposed development comprises the: construction of a 2 No. storey office building (446 sqm) to replace the demolished farm building; removal of the 4 No. temporary portable offices, canteen, storage buildings/ containers (87.8 sqm); provision of a truck bay wash; resurfacing of yard with a continuous concrete slab; erection of a hit and miss fence with a height of 1.8 m and approximately 97 m in length enclosing the yard along its eastern and southern extents; removal of existing, disused southern gate at the Farrankelly Road (R774) and replacement with fixed, palisade fencing; and associated site development works above and below ground
Core Refusal Reason
The development was refused due to its failure to protect a historic mass path, contravention of multiple environmental and zoning objectives in the County Development Plan, and the provision of insufficient information regarding traffic safety and infrastructure.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposal fails to protect and maintain the historic Drummin mass path, resulting in haphazard development that seriously injures the area's amenity and contravenes green infrastructure objectives.
- The development contravenes a wide range of County Development Plan 2022-2028 objectives related to economic development, water services, natural heritage, biodiversity, and flood risk management.
- Insufficient information was submitted regarding traffic impact, parking, and site access to demonstrate that the development would not endanger public safety by reason of a serious traffic hazard.