Core Refusal Reason
The proposal was refused due to the erosion of rural character in an area under significant pressure for one-off housing, public health concerns regarding wastewater disposal in a vulnerable area, and the absence of an Appropriate Assessment screening.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed development would lead to the further erosion of the rural character of an area already under significant pressure for one-off housing, setting an undesirable precedent for similar inappropriate developments.
- The proliferation of individual wastewater treatment systems in an area identified as having extreme groundwater vulnerability poses a risk of pollution and is considered prejudicial to public health.
- The applicant failed to provide an Appropriate Assessment screening report, meaning the Planning Authority could not be satisfied that the development would not adversely affect the conservation objectives of nearby European Sites.
Cited Policies (CDP)
HOU 41HOU 42HOU 45HOU 46HOU 47IU 16IU 17IU 18IU 19HGB 40NGB 6Section 13.9.4Section 13.9
Decision Document Summary
The application sought permission for a 1.5-storey dwelling and septic tank at Cavan Road, Knockbridge, Co. Louth, within a Rural Policy Zone 2 (Area Under Strong Urban Influence). While the applicant met local need criteria, the site is located in an area with a high density of existing one-off houses. The Planning Authority refused permission because the development would exacerbate the erosion of rural character, create public health risks due to wastewater disposal in a vulnerable area, and ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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