Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to failure to demonstrate rural housing need in a high-pressure area, unsuitable site conditions for wastewater treatment due to high bedrock and groundwater vulnerability, and lack of evidence for a potable water supply.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need as required by Policy Objective RH 1 for the Rural Metropolitan Area, which is under strong urban pressure.
- The site is unsuitable for the safe disposal of domestic effluent due to its limited size, extreme groundwater vulnerability, and the presence of high bedrock over a regionally important aquifer.
- The proposal lacked necessary confirmation of a potable water supply from Irish Water, posing a potential risk to public health and contravening water services policies.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RH 1Section 4.6.1Policy Objective NHB1Policy Objective NHB3Policy Objective WS 5DM Standard 36DM Standard 29DM Standard 9
Decision Document Summary
This application by Liam O'Casarlaigh sought permission for a 141.75 sqm dwelling and 40 sqm garage at An Poll Caoin, Co. Galway, within the Rural Metropolitan Area. The site is an elevated infill agricultural field with exposed bedrock. Galway County Council refused the application on three main grounds: the applicant's failure to prove a local housing need in a restricted zone, the technical unsuitability of the site for wastewater treatment given the high bedrock and aquifer sensitivity, and ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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