Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need under the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 and the proposal would require excessive hedgerow removal on a substandard road, negatively impacting the rural character.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to demonstrate compliance with the qualifying criteria for Rural Policy Zone 2, specifically failing to prove a necessity to live in a rural area for exceptional health reasons or that the existing family home cannot be adapted.
- The proposal would require the removal of approximately 100 metres of mature roadside hedgerow to facilitate safe access, which is considered excessive and contrary to guidance on preserving rural character.
- The development would result in an intrusive encroachment into the rural landscape and set an undesirable precedent for further ad-hoc, piecemeal development along a substandard public road.
Cited Policies (CDP)
HOU 41HOU 42HOU 47Section 13.9Section 13.9.4Section 13.9.14Table 3.5
Decision Document Summary
This application proposed the construction of a single-storey dwelling and wastewater treatment system at Kilcroney, Tallanstown, Co. Louth, located within Rural Policy Zone 2 (Area Under Strong Urban Influence). Louth County Council refused permission on two primary grounds: first, the applicant failed to meet the 'local need' criteria, specifically failing to justify the requirement for a rural house on exceptional health grounds under Policy HOU 41; second, the development would necessitate t...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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