Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to insufficient information regarding the necessity of the works, their engineering design, and the potential hydrological, ecological, and visual impacts on a sensitive coastal site within a proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA).
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that coastal erosion is currently occurring or that soft engineering alternatives were explored, making the hard rock revetment contrary to Objective CPO 19.12.
- Insufficient data was provided to assess the ecological impact on the Arklow Rock-Askintinny pNHA and protected species, or to rule out significant environmental effects under EIA screening.
- The proposed 450-metre man-made structure would cause an unjustifiable negative visual impact on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and lacks adequate details regarding construction access and foreshore protection.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 14.02CPO 14.03CPO 14.04CPO 17.1CPO 17.7CPO 17.8CPO 19.12CPO 19.15CPO 19.27
Decision Document Summary
The proposal sought permission for a 450-metre long rock revetment coastal defence at Clogga Beach, Arklow, located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Arklow Rock-Askintinny pNHA. Wicklow County Council refused the application primarily because the applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of active erosion or justify the use of hard engineering over soft solutions. Furthermore, the lack of comprehensive hydrological and ecological assessments meant the potential impacts on...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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