Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to unsuitable site drainage for effluent disposal, significant negative visual impact on a sensitive coastal landscape, and inadequate sight distances for safe road access.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The site exhibits poor drainage characteristics and saturated ground, making it unsuitable for the safe disposal of domestic effluent and posing a risk to public health.
- The proposed dwelling and driveway would result in a visually obtrusive feature in an exposed Class 3 'Special' coastal landscape, failing to integrate effectively and detracting from the area's rural character.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that the required 70m sight distances could be achieved at the proposed entrance, creating a potential traffic hazard for road users.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RH 4Policy Objective RH 9Policy Objective LCM 1Policy Objective LCM 3Policy Objective WW6DM Standard 20DM Standard 28DM Standard 38DM Standard 46
Decision Document Summary
Séamus Ó Fátharta sought permission for a 294.61 sq m dwelling and 54 sq m garage at An Lochan Beag, Co. Galway, within a sensitive coastal landscape. Although the applicant met the rural housing need criteria (RH4), Galway County Council refused the application on three main grounds: the site's inability to safely manage wastewater due to poor percolation and saturated ground, the excessive scale and massing which would be visually obtrusive in a 'Special' landscape character area, and the fail...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.