Core Refusal Reason
Failure to demonstrate a genuine local housing need in an 'Area Under Strong Urban Influence' and adverse visual impact on the rural landscape due to site elevation and hedgerow removal.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicants failed to provide sufficient evidence to meet the qualifying criteria for a rural dwelling in an 'Area Under Strong Urban Influence', specifically failing to demonstrate a minimum of 18 years residency in the local rural area.
- The proposed development would require the extensive removal of established roadside hedgerows and, given the site's elevated and exposed nature, would result in a visually intrusive suburban-style protrusion into the open countryside.
- The proposal would contribute to the undesirable proliferation of one-off rural dwellings in an area already under significant development pressure, thereby eroding the rural character and visual amenities of the locality.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Rural Policy Zone 2Table 3.5Policy HOU 41Policy HOU 42Policy HOU 46Policy ENV 39Section 13.9.4Section 13.9.5Section 13.9.6Section 13.9.7Section 13.9.8Section 13.9.9Section 13.9.10Section 13.19.14Section 13.16.17Section 13.9.15Section 13.9.16Policy HOU 38Policy HOU 45Policy HOU 47IU 16IU 17IU 18IU 19
Decision Document Summary
The application proposed the construction of a single-storey dwelling, detached garage, and a proprietary wastewater treatment system at Stickillin, Ardee, Co. Louth. The site is situated on agricultural land within a Rural Policy Zone 2, designated as an 'Area Under Strong Urban Influence'. Louth County Council refused permission because the applicants did not satisfactorily demonstrate a local housing need as required by the County Development Plan. Furthermore, the planning authority conclude...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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