Core Refusal Reason
The proposed office development is located in an unzoned rural area on a national road (N80), lacks justification for its location outside of zoned settlements, poses a traffic hazard, and fails to demonstrate adequate wastewater treatment facilities.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development would result in the intensification of an existing access onto the N80 National Road where a maximum speed limit applies, creating a traffic hazard and obstructing road users.
- The proposal represents an inappropriate commercial use in an unzoned rural area that is not intrinsic to the rural economy, which would contribute to urban sprawl and set an undesirable precedent for similar haphazard development.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that the existing wastewater treatment system is adequate to cater for the proposed development, potentially posing a risk to public health.
Cited Policies (CDP)
DM RL 2TRANS 17Laois County Development Plan 2017-2023Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027
Decision Document Summary
Graham Developments Ltd proposed the construction of a 289sqm contemporary office building on a 0.557ha site in Ballymackan, located 3.2km east of Portlaoise town centre. The site is currently an unpermitted compound accessed via the N80 national road. The Planning Authority refused permission because the development is better suited to zoned urban lands, would negatively impact traffic safety on a national route, and lacked sufficient technical detail regarding wastewater management....SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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