Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the site's unsuitability for wastewater treatment, adverse visual impact on a sensitive Class 3 landscape, potential negative effects on a nearby Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and failure to demonstrate a specific rural housing need.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The site exhibits poor drainage characteristics with shallow soil overburden and rock outcropping, meaning safe disposal of domestic effluent cannot be guaranteed, posing a risk to public health and groundwater quality.
- The proposed development would be visually obtrusive in an exposed 'Special' Class 3 landscape, failing to integrate into the coastal setting and detracting from the general amenity and character of the area.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a specific rural housing need for this location under Policy Objective RH4 and could not sufficiently rule out adverse impacts on the integrity of the Kilkieran Bay and Islands SAC.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RH4Policy Objective RH 9Policy Objective FL1Policy Objective LCM 1Policy Objective LCM 3Policy Objective WW6Policy Objective NHB 1Policy Objective NHB 2DM Standard 6DM Standard 8DM Standard 20DM Standard 27DM Standard 29DM Standard 38DM Standard 41DM Standard 46DM Standard 50
Decision Document Summary
Declan Flaherty sought planning permission for a 221.80 sqm dwelling, garage, and wastewater treatment system at Bealadangan, Co. Galway, located within a sensitive Class 3 coastal landscape and the Gaeltacht. Galway County Council refused the application on four main grounds: the technical unsuitability of the site for effluent disposal due to peaty substrates and shallow rock; the visual impact of a prominent dwelling on a highly sensitive landscape; the potential for significant adverse effec...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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