Core Refusal Reason
The development was refused due to its visual prominence and lack of integration into the rural landscape, the excessive removal of mature roadside hedgerows, and the failure to demonstrate compliance with wastewater treatment standards.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The site's prominent location in an open agricultural field lacks the natural boundaries necessary to integrate the physical development without intruding on the rural landscape.
- The substantial removal of mature roadside hedgerows to facilitate the development would set an undesirable precedent and erode the rural character of the area.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that the proposed wastewater treatment system and polishing filter comply with the EPA Code of Practice 2021, making it prejudicial to public health.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Section 13.9.4Section 13.9.14Policy Objective HOU 47Policy Objective HOU 42Policy Objective IU18Policy Objective HOU 41Table 3.5
Decision Document Summary
The proposal involved the construction of a single-storey dwelling, detached garage, and wastewater treatment system at Millockstown, Ardee, Co. Louth. Although the applicant was found to meet the local housing need criteria for Rural Policy Zone 2, the application was refused because the site is too visually prominent and lacks sufficient natural screening. The planning authority also cited the loss of mature hedgerows and the lack of technical evidence regarding the wastewater system's complia...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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