Core Refusal Reason
The proposal constitutes disorderly backland overdevelopment on an elevated site requiring excessive excavation, which would negatively impact residential amenity and create a traffic hazard.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development represents inappropriate backland development and disorderly overdevelopment through the subdivision of an established residential curtilage, which would set an undesirable precedent and depreciate property values in the vicinity.
- The proposal requires excessive excavation and manipulation of the landscape (c. 3.5m) to accommodate the dwelling, failing to integrate with the site's natural contours and violating the principles of the County Roscommon Rural Housing Design Guidelines.
- The intensification of the existing access onto the public road, where sight lines are restricted, would result in a traffic hazard and endanger public safety.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Chapter 2: Core Strategy & Settlement PolicySection 2.6: Settlement HierarchySection 2.7: Settlement StrategyChapter 3: People, Places & HousesChapter 7: Infrastructure, Transport & CommunicationSection 7.8: Water ServicesChapter 12: Development ManagementVolume II Chapter 4: Hodson Bay/ Barrymore Area PlanPolicy HB3Section 12.11 (Backland Development)Section 12.7 (Rural House Design Considerations)County Roscommon Rural Housing Design Guidelines
Decision Document Summary
David Heavey proposed the construction of a 154 sqm single-storey flat-roof dwelling on an elevated 0.3 ha site at Hodson Bay, Barrymore, Athlone. The site is located within the settlement boundary of the Hodson Bay/Barrymore Area Plan but is characterized by significant topographical challenges. The application was refused by Roscommon County Council as it was considered a haphazard form of backland development that would injure the residential amenities of neighboring properties. Additionally,...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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