23100
relocation and rebuilding main vehicular entrance to Straffan Lodge (A Protected Structure) Glebe, Straffan, Co. Kildare, The existing entrance gates/piers and flanking walls/railings will be demolished and replaced with the new vehicular entrance to include new cut stone piers and flanking walls with bespoke cast iron gates and railings, associated landscaping with cobbled recess and tarmac drive connecting to existing avenue to main house
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed relocation of the entrance was refused as it would create a traffic hazard by moving away from the optimal safety location, while simultaneously detracting from the architectural heritage and historic character of the Protected Structure by breaking the established visual linear link to the demesne.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The existing entrance is considered to be in the optimal location for sightlines and safety; therefore, the proposed development would represent a diminished form of access and cause a traffic hazard, contravening Policy TM P7.
- The relocation would break the historic linear visual link between the local road and Straffan Lodge, detracting from the architectural integrity and character of the Protected Structure and its associated demesne.
- The application failed to provide a required Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment and the proposed design was deemed inappropriate as it did not sufficiently reference the historical character of the site, contravening multiple heritage objectives including AH O21, AH O31, and AH O50.