Core Refusal Reason
The applicants failed to demonstrate a site-specific rural housing need in an area under urban influence, and the proposed access would create a traffic hazard due to inadequate sight lines.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicants did not demonstrate a genuine economic or social need to reside in this rural area, which is designated as 'Rural Policy Zone A' (Area under Urban Influence), as they failed to show intrinsic links to the specific locality.
- The proposed development would endanger public safety by reason of a traffic hazard because the required 90-metre sight lines cannot be achieved from the proposed access point.
- The achievement of necessary sight distances is dependent on the setting back of land and maintenance of field boundary vegetation on third-party property, which is outside the control of the applicants.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Table 3.1: Rural Area TypesTable 3.2: Rural Housing Need CriteriaSection 3.10Section 12.24Figure 12.4Chapter 2: Core Strategy & Settlement PolicySection 2.6: Settlement HierarchySection 2.7: Settlement StrategyChapter 3: People, Places & HousesSection 3.9: Rural HousingSection 3.10: Rural Area TypesChapter 7: Infrastructure, Transport & CommunicationSection 7.8: WaterChapter 12: Development ManagementSection 12.7: Rural House Design Considerations
Decision Document Summary
The application proposed the demolition of a derelict outbuilding and the construction of a 319 sqm split-level dwelling, garage, and wastewater treatment system at Cloonakille, Bealnamullia, Athlone. The site is located in a rural area under significant urban influence. Roscommon County Council refused permission because the applicants failed to meet the 'economic' or 'social' need criteria required for rural housing in this zone. Furthermore, the planning authority concluded that the developme...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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