Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused because the applicant failed to demonstrate a local housing need in an area under strong urban influence, and the proposed modular design was deemed visually inappropriate for the rural landscape.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to meet the local housing need criteria set out in CPO 9.1, as they are from an urban area (Athlone) and lack the required intrinsic links to this specific rural community.
- The proposed single-storey modular 'box structure' design is non-traditional, lacks vertical emphasis in its windows, and is contrary to the Westmeath Rural Design Guide.
- The development would be visually obtrusive, out of character with the surrounding rural area, and would set an undesirable precedent for similar inappropriate development in the future.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 9.1CPO 9.2CPO 9.8CPO 9.13CPO 9.14CPO 9.16CPO 9.17CPO 9.18CPO 9.19CPO 9.20CPO 16.32CPO 16.33CPO 16.34
Decision Document Summary
Denise Mooney sought planning permission for a two-bedroom dwelling and garage at Ballynahown, Athlone, on a 0.260 Ha site within an area designated as being under Strong Urban Influence. Westmeath County Council refused the application on two main grounds: firstly, the applicant did not satisfy the local rural housing need requirements of the County Development Plan; and secondly, the modular, non-traditional design of the dwelling was considered visually obtrusive and inconsistent with the Wes...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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