Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the applicant's failure to demonstrate a local rural housing need, the site's lack of natural boundaries leading to poor landscape integration, and the proposal being deemed speculative development on a landholding with a history of multiple site sales.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient documentary evidence to demonstrate at least 18 years of residency in the local rural area, thereby failing to meet the qualifying criteria for Rural Policy Zone 2 under Policy Objective HOU 41.
- The proposed development lacks natural boundary features and is situated in an area already characterized by a proliferation of one-off dwellings, which would result in an unduly prominent structure that erodes the rural character of the coastal landscape.
- The proposal is considered speculative development in contravention of Policy Objective HOU 46, as the landowner has already sold or developed three other sites on the same landholding, and this fourth site would exacerbate an excessive pattern of overdevelopment.
Cited Policies (CDP)
HOU 41HOU 42HOU 46HOU 47Section 13.9.4Table 3.5Rural Policy Zone 2
Decision Document Summary
The applicant, Conor Malone, sought permission for a 228sq.m single-storey detached dwelling and a wastewater treatment system on a 0.256ha site at Templetown, Carlingford, Co. Louth. The site is located within Rural Policy Zone 2, an area designated as being under strong urban influence. Louth County Council refused the application on three main grounds: the failure to prove a genuine local rural housing need, the unsuitability of the site due to its lack of natural screening and visual promine...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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