Core Refusal Reason
The proposal was refused due to its location in a sensitive High Amenity and Water Catchment area, failure to demonstrate a specific rural housing need, potential negative impacts on recorded monuments and protected nature conservation sites, and road safety concerns regarding access to the N4.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a specific rural housing need related to farming or forestry within a designated Water Catchment and High Amenity Area, contrary to policy CPO 9.23.
- The proposed dwelling's siting and design would negatively impact the visual amenities of the landscape and potentially damage the integrity of Recorded Monuments and adjacent Natura 2000 sites (Lough Owel SPA/SAC).
- The application lacked sufficient technical documentation regarding archaeological impacts, ecological protection, and safe vehicular access to the national road network (N4).
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 9.1CPO 9.2CPO 9.8CPO 9.13CPO 9.14CPO 9.17CPO 9.18CPO 9.19CPO 9.20CPO 9.23CPO 9.24CPO 10.45CPO 10.46CPO 10.81CPO 12.4CPO 12.5CPO 12.6CPO 12.7CPO 12.13CPO 13.20CPO 13.21CPO 13.22CPO 13.23CPO 13.29CPO 13.30CPO 14.5CPO 14.6CPO 14.7CPO 16.32CPO 16.33CPO 16.34
Decision Document Summary
Mark Reynolds sought permission for a 338.2 sqm single-storey dwelling and associated services on a 2.9-hectare site at Clonhugh, Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath. The site is located in a highly sensitive area adjacent to Lough Owel, designated as a High Amenity Area, a Water Catchment Area, and containing a Recorded Monument (Ringfort-Rath). Westmeath County Council refused the application because the proposal failed to meet rural housing need criteria for the catchment area, posed a threat to the ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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