Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the applicant's failure to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need and the proposed dwelling's excessive scale and bulky design, which was deemed visually intrusive in an open rural landscape lacking natural boundaries.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient documentary evidence to demonstrate they had previously resided in the local area for at least 18 years, thereby failing to meet the qualifying criteria for Rural Policy Zone 2 under Policy Objective HOU 41.
- The proposed site lacks natural boundaries and the dwelling's excessively large and bulky design would result in a prominent, obtrusive, and visually intrusive encroachment into the open rural landscape.
- The development would constitute an inappropriate form of piecemeal development and set an undesirable precedent for similar developments, contrary to Policy Objectives HOU 42 and HOU 47 regarding site selection and house design.
Cited Policies (CDP)
HOU 41HOU 42HOU 47Table 3.5Section 13.9.4Section 13.9.8Rural Policy Zone 2
Decision Document Summary
Desmond Murphy sought permission for a two-storey house, double garage, and associated site works at Milltown, Grangebellew, Co. Louth, located within Rural Policy Zone 2. The proposal was refused by Louth County Council primarily because the applicant did not adequately demonstrate compliance with the local housing need criteria for returning emigrants. Furthermore, the planning authority determined that the site's lack of natural boundaries, combined with the excessive scale and bulk of the pr...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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