Core Refusal Reason
The development fails to meet the Wexford County Development Plan's criteria for self-contained family units as it is a detached, non-reintegratable structure, lacks evidence of current occupant dependency, and has not demonstrated that the existing wastewater treatment system can safely accommodate the additional load.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The structure is a detached, separate planning unit located 63m from the main house and cannot be reintegrated into the main dwelling, thus contravening core policy requirements for family units.
- The medical evidence submitted was outdated (dating from 2017) and failed to demonstrate a current health or support requirement that justifies a self-contained unit for a dependent family member.
- The applicant failed to provide technical evidence or an updated site characterisation to prove the existing wastewater treatment system could safely handle the intensified loading, posing a risk to public health and groundwater.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Section 3.3 (Volume 2)Section 4.9.5 (Volume 1)Objective SH50Objective WW11 (Chapter 9, Section 9.6.4)Section 8.3.1 (Volume 2)EPA Code of Practice 2021
Decision Document Summary
The application seeks retention permission for a 25.26 sqm detached timber-clad structure with a mezzanine floor, used as a granny flat on a 1.79-hectare site in Tomnamuck, Co. Wexford. The Planning Authority refused the application on the grounds that the unit is not attached to the main house and potentially impacts public health regarding wastewater. On appeal, the Inspector found that the development is contrary to the Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028, which requires such units to b...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.