Core Refusal Reason
The development was refused because it constitutes unauthorized residential use in a rural area without a demonstrated housing need, creates a traffic hazard on a strategic regional route, and provides substandard residential accommodation that fails to meet minimum design and environmental standards.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to establish a site-specific rural housing need for the residential units in an area under strong urban influence, rendering the development contrary to the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 and national rural housing guidelines.
- The development poses a significant traffic hazard as the applicant failed to demonstrate required unobstructed sightlines of 160 metres at the entrance onto the R-135, which is a recognized regional route and strategic corridor.
- The residential units provide a poor standard of amenity for occupants, failing to meet minimum requirements for floor area, storage, and private open space, while also lacking sufficient technical information regarding the suitability of the on-site wastewater treatment system.
Cited Policies (CDP)
RD POL 1RD POL 2RD POL 3RD POL 30RD POL 31RD POL 32RD POL 33RD POL 34RD POL 35HER POL 52HER POL 53HER OBJ 48HER OBJ 49RD POL 38RD POL 39RD POL 40INF POL 20INF POL 21INF POL 22INF OBJ 20INF OBJ 21INF OBJ 22INF OBJ 25Section 9.4Section 9.15Section 9.15.2Section 9.15.3Section 11.5.1Section 11.5.12Policy RD34
Decision Document Summary
The application sought retention permission for the conversion of sheds into two residential units for staff and worker accommodation at an industrial storage site in Donaghmore, Ashbourne, Co. Meath. The site is located in a rural area under strong urban influence along the R-135 strategic route corridor. Meath County Council refused the proposal because the applicant did not demonstrate a genuine rural housing need, the access arrangements were deemed unsafe for a regional road, and the units ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.