Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused because the applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need in an area under strong urban influence, and the site was deemed environmentally unsuitable for wastewater treatment and protection of Natura 2000 sites.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant does not meet the specific rural housing need criteria for an area under strong urban influence, which would result in an uneconomic provision of public services and contravene CPO 9.1.
- The site exhibits high groundwater vulnerability and poor drainage conditions, meaning the proposed wastewater treatment system would pose a serious risk to ground and surface waters.
- In the absence of satisfactory documentation regarding adjacent watercourses, the Planning Authority is not satisfied that the development would not have significant adverse effects on the Lough Ree SAC and SPA.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 9.1CPO 9.9CPO 12.4CPO 12.6CPO 12.7
Decision Document Summary
Michelle Kelly sought permission for a four-bedroom dwelling, garage, and effluent treatment system at Tullin, Garnafailagh, Coosan, Athlone. The site is located in a rural area under strong urban influence near the Lough Ree SAC. Westmeath County Council refused the proposal because the applicant failed to establish a functional rural housing need, the site's high water table and poor ground conditions made it unsuitable for safe effluent disposal, and the potential for significant negative imp...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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