Core Refusal Reason
The development was refused due to significant environmental risks to the adjacent Maumturk Mountains SAC and the visual impact on a highly sensitive 'Iconic' landscape, compounded by poor site drainage and insufficient technical data.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proximity to the Maumturk Mountains SAC and the presence of land drains create a risk of adverse effects on the site's integrity due to potential effluent discharge issues and hydrological connectivity.
- The proposed dwelling is considered visually obtrusive and fails to integrate into the Class 4 'Iconic' landscape, which permits alterations only in exceptional circumstances.
- The site exhibits poor drainage characteristics, including shallow overburden and waterlogging, making it unsuitable for safe wastewater disposal and posing a risk to public health.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective NHB 1Policy Objective NHB 2Policy Objective NHB 3Policy Objective NHB 4Policy Objective NHB 5Policy Objective NHB 9DM Standard 50Policy Objective LCM 1Policy Objective LCM 2Policy Objective LCM 3DM Standard 7DM Standard 46Policy Objective RH 9DM Standard 8Policy Objective WW 6DM Standard 38Policy Objective WS 5
Decision Document Summary
The proposal involved the construction of a single-storey dwelling and garage on a greenfield site at Fionasclainn, Sraith Salach, located within a Class 4 'Iconic' landscape near the Maumturk Mountains SAC. While the applicant established a rural housing need, the application was refused because the development would be visually discordant in a highly sensitive mountainous area. Furthermore, the Planning Authority determined that the site's poor drainage and hydrological connectivity to the SAC...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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