Core Refusal Reason
Failure to demonstrate a genuine rural-generated housing need in an area designated as being under 'Strong Urban Influence', specifically contravening Policy Objective RH 2 of the County Development Plan.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to provide satisfactory evidence of a rural-generated housing need for a site located within an 'Area Under Strong Urban Influence' as defined by the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines.
- The Planning Authority determined that the proposal would constitute the applicant's third private dwelling in the locality, with two previous properties having been constructed and subsequently sold, thus failing to meet the criteria for a first-time rural home.
- Granting permission would materially contravene Policy Objective RH 2 of the Galway County Development Plan 2022-2028 and set an undesirable precedent for similar unsustainable development in the area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RH 2Policy Objective RH 9Policy Objective NBH 1Policy Objective NHB 3Policy Objective WR 1Policy Objective WS 4Policy Objective WS 7Policy Objective LCM 1Policy Objective WW 6Policy Objective WW 10DM Standard 11Policy Objective FL 2DM Standard 28DM Standard 36DM Standard 37DM Standard 38DM Standard 47DM Standard 68
Decision Document Summary
The applicant, Justin Sheehan, sought permission to construct a 160 sqm dwelling house and 60 sqm detached garage on a 0.356ha greenfield site at Drumacoo, Kilcolgan, Co. Galway. The site is situated in a rural area identified as being under 'Strong Urban Influence' and within the Galway County Transport Planning Strategy area. The application was refused because the applicant failed to demonstrate a legitimate rural housing need under Policy Objective RH 2. Crucially, the Planning Authority not...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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