221447
the importation of material to in-fill and re-contour the subject site at Thomastown, Johnstownbridge, Co. Kildare. Once the importation is complete the applicant will seed the land in line with Teagasc guidelines and return it to agricultural use. The Operational Phase will see the site being used as agricultural pastureland. The applicant proposes, subject to planning, to import clean greenfield soil and stone to remediate approximately 3.689ha of the total site. The 3.689ha is divided into two distinct areas - Area 1 is 2.718ha and Area 2 is 0.971ha. A fill plan has been drawn up for the importation of ca. 103,455 tonnes of soil to fill Area 1, and ca. 25,005 tonnes to fill Area 2, equating to a total of ca. 128,460 tonnes of soil and subsoil. Permission is being sought for a 5-year period (ca. 25,692 tonnes per annum) and will be subject to a waste facility permit. The application is accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR)
Core Refusal Reason
The permanent removal of approximately 2.5 hectares of wetland habitat and the failure of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) to adequately assess ecological, cumulative, and residual impacts.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed development would result in the permanent loss of approximately 2.5 hectares of wetland habitat, directly contravening Policy BIP8 and Objectives BI050 and BI056 of the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029.
- The submitted Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) failed to adequately assess the likely significant effects on ecology, particularly concerning the potential presence of Annex 1 priority habitats such as tufa formations.
- The application lacked sufficient information and clarity regarding the assessment of cumulative and residual impacts, preventing the Planning Authority from carrying out a thorough environmental assessment.