Core Refusal Reason
The development represents a substandard form of residential accommodation due to its inadequate floor area (26.7sq.m) and fails to meet rural housing policy requirements or demonstrate safe access and environmental protection.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The dwelling is considered a substandard form of development as its floor area is significantly below minimum standards, which would set an undesirable precedent for inadequately sized housing.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate compliance with the Rural Housing policy for an 'Area under Urban Influence' as defined in the Kilkenny County Development Plan 2021-2027.
- The proposal failed to provide sufficient evidence regarding the safety of the wastewater treatment system and the adequacy of traffic sightlines at the site entrance, posing potential risks to public health and road safety.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Kilkenny County Development Plan 2021-2027Chapter 7 - Rural DevelopmentChapter 13 - Requirement for developmentRural Design Guide
Decision Document Summary
Elizabeth Hughes sought retention permission for a 26.7sq.m detached single-storey habitable dwelling and a shed at Sheastown, Co. Kilkenny, located within an 'Area under Urban Influence'. While the Executive Planner's report initially suggested a request for further information regarding technical details, the Senior Planner ultimately recommended refusal. The decision was based on the dwelling's substandard size, the applicant's failure to prove a rural housing need, and a lack of evidence reg...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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