Core Refusal Reason
The proposal was refused due to its intrusive and prominent location in the open countryside, failure to meet traffic safety standards regarding sightlines, inadequate technical details for drainage and wastewater treatment, and the lack of an Appropriate Assessment screening for protected European sites.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed dwelling, sited 93m from the public road on an elevated position, would constitute an intrusive encroachment into the open rural landscape, detracting from the visual amenity and character of the area.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate compliance with essential technical and safety standards, specifically regarding minimum traffic sightline requirements, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), and wastewater treatment in accordance with the EPA Code of Practice.
- In the absence of an Appropriate Assessment Screening Report, the Planning Authority could not be satisfied that the development would not have a significant adverse effect on European protected sites, including Dundalk Bay and Carlingford Shore.
Cited Policies (CDP)
HOU 41HOU 42HOU 47HOU 45HOU 46HOU 40IU 18IU 19NGB 6MOV 56ENV 39Section 13.16.17Table 13.13Section 13.9
Decision Document Summary
The applicant, James Murnaghan, sought permission for a detached single-storey dwelling and a wastewater treatment system at Ardtully, Riverstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth, located within Rural Policy Zone 2. Louth County Council refused the application primarily because the proposed siting was considered an intrusive and prominent encroachment into the open countryside that would erode the area's rural character. Additionally, the application was deemed deficient in technical detail regarding traffic...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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