Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the inappropriate siting of the dwelling on an elevated, exposed portion of the site which would be visually prominent, and the applicant's failure to adequately demonstrate compliance with the local rural housing need criteria.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed dwelling is positioned on high contours in an exposed location, which, along with the removal of roadside hedgerows for sightlines, would result in an unduly prominent and intrusive feature in the rural landscape.
- The development fails to integrate into the local landscape and would erode the rural character of the area, representing a breach of the site selection and design standards set out in the County Development Plan.
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient documentary evidence to prove they meet the qualifying criteria for Rural Policy Zone 2, specifically the requirement to have resided in the local area for a minimum of 18 years.
Cited Policies (CDP)
HOU 41HOU 42HOU 47Section 13.9.4Section 13.9.14Section 13.9Table 3.5
Decision Document Summary
Declan Wiseman sought permission for a two-storey dwelling, site entrance, and wastewater treatment system at Slieve, Hackballscross, Co. Louth, situated within Rural Policy Zone 2. Louth County Council refused the proposal on two main grounds: first, the house would be sited on an elevated part of the field, making it visually prominent and necessitating the removal of established roadside hedging; and second, the applicant did not sufficiently demonstrate a local rural housing need as required...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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