Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the applicant's failure to demonstrate a local housing need in an Area Under Strong Urban Influence, combined with road safety hazards and the negative environmental impact of removing mature hedgerows.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to demonstrate compliance with the local housing need criteria for an 'Area Under Strong Urban Influence' as set out in the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027, specifically as the applicant already owns a dwelling in the rural area.
- The proposed development would create a new vehicular access onto the R-430 Strategic Regional Road in an 80kph zone, which contravenes Policy TRANS 22 and would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard and inadequate sightlines.
- The removal of extensive hedgerow and mature trees required to facilitate sightlines would be contrary to policies BNH 28, BNH 30, and DM BNH 5, resulting in a loss of natural habitats and injury to the visual amenity of the rural area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Table 4.4Policy TRANS 22Policy BNH 28Policy BNH 30Policy DM BNH 5Appendix 7National Policy Objective 19National Policy Objective 20
Decision Document Summary
The proposal sought outline planning permission for a single-storey dwelling, garage, and associated services on a 0.48ha site at Keelogue, Killeshin, Co. Laois. The site is located at the junction of the R-430 Strategic Regional Road and a local tertiary road within an 'Area Under Strong Urban Influence'. Laois County Council refused the application because the applicant did not establish a functional local housing need, the proposed access onto a high-speed strategic road posed a significant t...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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