Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate a local housing need in a Rural Policy Zone under strong urban influence, alongside significant concerns regarding road safety, wastewater management, and potential impacts on European protected sites.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to meet the local qualifying criteria for Rural Policy Zone 2, as their qualifying residence is 13.98km from the site, exceeding the maximum allowable radius defined in the Louth County Development Plan.
- The proposed access onto the R166 Regional Road would create a traffic hazard because the applicant did not demonstrate the required 125m x 3m visibility splays.
- The proposal is prejudicial to public health and the environment as it failed to demonstrate compliance with the EPA Code of Practice 2021 for wastewater treatment, potentially impacting the Dundalk Bay SAC and SPA.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Table 3.5Table 13.13Policy Objective IU18Policy NBG 3HOU 41Section 3.17.4
Decision Document Summary
This application by Niall McGuinness proposed a detached dormer dwelling and wastewater treatment system on agricultural land at Togher, Drogheda, Co. Louth. The site is situated in Rural Policy Zone 2, an area under strong urban influence. Louth County Council refused permission on four grounds: failure to demonstrate a local rural housing need, inadequate visibility splays at the site entrance onto a Regional Road, non-compliance with wastewater treatment standards (EPA Code of Practice 2021),...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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