Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the failure to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need, significant adverse visual impact on a sensitive AONB landscape, and unacceptable flood risk within a high-probability flood zone.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a bona fide rural housing need in accordance with Objective HD23, and the proposed dwelling would represent non-essential housing that erodes the landscape value of the Mountain Uplands AONB.
- The development would be visually obtrusive within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and along a listed prospect (Prospect ID 17), exacerbated by the removal of established roadside vegetation and an inappropriate design.
- The proposal is located within a high-risk floodplain (Zones A and B) without a supporting Justification Test or Flood Risk Assessment, and fails to adequately assess potential negative impacts on the hydrologically linked Wicklow Mountains SAC/SPA.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Objective HD23Objective HD1Objective HD3Objective HD24Objective FL2Objective FL4Objective FL5Objective FL9Objective NH49Objective NH50Objective NH51Objective NH52Objective NH4Section 4.4
Decision Document Summary
This application sought permission for a new dwelling and the retention of a domestic shed at Glenmacnass, Laragh, Co. Wicklow, situated within the Mountain Uplands Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The site is located in a sensitive rural area near the Glenmacnass River and the Wicklow Mountains SAC/SPA. The Planning Authority refused permission on multiple grounds, primarily citing the applicant's failure to prove a definable social or economic need to reside in the area. Additionally...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.