Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the applicant's failure to demonstrate a functional rural housing need, combined with significant environmental risks to a vulnerable aquifer and protected European sites, and inadequate road safety sightlines.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to provide adequate documentation to substantiate a genuine rural housing need or local links to the area, which is a requirement for development within a 'Rural Area Under Strong Urban Pressure'.
- The proposed wastewater treatment system poses a threat to public health and the integrity of the Lough Corrib SAC, as the site overlies a regionally important aquifer with extreme vulnerability.
- The proposed vehicular entrance would constitute a traffic hazard because the mandatory 70m sight distances cannot be achieved due to the site's proximity to a sharp bend and existing roadside obstructions.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RH 2Policy Objective NHB 1Policy Objective NHB 2Policy Objective WS 5DM Standard 50DM Standard 12DM Standard 36Chapter 4 Rural Living and DevelopmentChapter 7 Infrastructure, Utilities and Environmental ProtectionChapter 15 Development Management Standards
Decision Document Summary
Orla Feeney applied for permission to construct a 174.70 sqm dwelling, domestic garage, and wastewater treatment system at Poll na Cloiche, Co. Galway. The site is located in a rural area designated as a Class 3 Landscape within the Galway County Transport Planning Strategy (GCTPS) zone. Galway County Council refused the application on five distinct grounds: failure to prove rural housing necessity under Policy Objective RH 2, potential adverse impacts on the Lough Corrib SAC, risks to a vulnera...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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