Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to submit a Site Specific Flood Risk Assessment (SSFRA) and apply the Justification Test for a development located adjacent to and partly within Flood Zone A, as required by policy INF OBJ 28 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to submit a mandatory Site Specific Flood Risk Assessment or apply the Justification Test despite the site being located adjacent to and partly within Flood Zone A.
- The proposal does not demonstrate that all essential infrastructure, including solar panels, would be sited outside of Flood Zones A and B to ensure the protection of the flood plain and ongoing maintenance access.
- Insufficient information was provided to ensure that the development, including access tracks and watercourse crossings, would not negatively impact flood plain storage or the flow of watercourses in a 1 in 100 or 1 in 1000 year flood event.
Cited Policies (CDP)
INF OBJ 28INF OBJ 39INF OBJ 41INF POL 34INF POL 35DM OBJ 77S11.8.2RA Zoning ObjectiveChapter 6Chapter 10Chapter 11
Decision Document Summary
The application proposes a 150kWp solar panel array (c. 650m2) on a 0.2068ha site to the rear of the Glenside Hotel in Smithstown, Julianstown, Co. Meath. The site is located on farmland zoned 'RA Rural Area', where sustainable energy installations are permitted in principle. While the planner found the development acceptable in terms of visual amenity, residential impact, and proximity to Natura 2000 sites, the application was refused (following a recommendation for further information) because...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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