22960
(A) The use of 1.6257 ha (4.017 acres) for the keeping and breeding of sheep and horses; (B) works for the renovation of two existing farm buildings and the creation of twenty number individual stables within these blocks, along with a tack room and feed store (with a combined area of 345.57 sq. m.); (C) the provision of an external horse walker and equine waste storage facilities; (D) the erection of a farmhouse containing three bedrooms, a combined kitchen/dining/family room, a formal sitting room and a farm office, with ancillary bathroom, wardrobe, utility pantry and hallway accommodation, (E) installation of an O'Reilly Oakstown BAF secondary wastewater treatment system and soil polishing filter; (F) closure of existing farm entrance and creation of new vehicular access to serve residential and agricultural traffic and (G) all associated site works including the creation of an internal driveway, the drilling of a well for agricultural and domestic purposes, stormwater drainage soakaways and fencing to front boundary
Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine local housing need and the proposed development would exacerbate ribbon development and suburbanisation in a rural area already under significant pressure.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to demonstrate compliance with the 'local need' criteria as defined in Policy RH2 and Table 4.3 of the Kildare County Development Plan 2017-2023, particularly regarding the establishment of a viable agricultural enterprise.
- The development would exacerbate an excessive density of one-off housing and ribbon development in a rural area already under significant pressure, directly contravening Policy RH9(iv).
- The proposal would contribute to the increasing suburbanisation of the Broadleas Commons area, which is inconsistent with the proper planning and sustainable development of the rural landscape.