Core Planning Reasoning
The structure's design as a stable presents a risk to residential amenity despite being proposed for storage, and the cumulative scale of buildings on the site creates an ad hoc, cluttered appearance that interferes with the character of a designated High Scenic Amenity area.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The building’s design and layout as a stable makes conditions restricting its use to dry storage difficult to enforce, leading to potential future negative impacts on neighbor amenity regarding noise and odor.
- The total ancillary storage on the site, combined with existing structures, is excessive (131 sqm) and is clustered inappropriately near the only adjacent third-party dwelling.
- The development fails to sensitively assimilate into the landscape, which is designated as an area of High Scenic Amenity, and is therefore contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy NH-O-5Policy NH-P-13County Donegal Development Plan 2018-2024
Decision Document Summary
This report evaluates a retention application for a 52 sqm storage shed in a rural area of County Donegal. While Donegal County Council initially granted permission, the Inspector recommends refusal following a third-party appeal. The site is situated in a 'Stronger Rural Area' and an area of 'High Scenic Amenity.' The Inspector argues that the structure was clearly built as a stable and that its retention for storage is likely to be bypassed, leading to animal housing that would negatively affe...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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