Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need under the qualifying criteria for Rural Policy Zone 2, and the proposed site lacks natural boundaries, making it visually obtrusive in an area already under pressure from overdevelopment.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient documentary evidence to demonstrate compliance with the local housing need qualifying criteria for Rural Policy Zone 2, specifically failing to clearly demonstrate the required 18-year residency period.
- The proposed development, by reason of its lack of natural boundary features and location in an area characterized by a proliferation of one-off dwellings, would result in an unduly prominent and obtrusive development that fails to integrate into the landscape.
- The proposal would exacerbate an existing pattern of overdevelopment in a rural area under strong urban influence, militating against the preservation of the rural environment and setting an undesirable precedent for similar inappropriate development.
Cited Policies (CDP)
HOU 41Table 3.5HOU 42HOU 47Section 13.9.4NGB 6HOU 45HOU 46HOU 40Section 13.9.5Section 13.9.6Section 13.9.7Section 13.9.8Section 13.9.9Section 13.9.10MOV 56Section 13.19.14Section 13.16.17Section 13.9.15Section 13.9.16ENV 39IU 16IU 17IU 18IU 19IU 26
Decision Document Summary
Craig McGuiness sought planning permission for a single-storey dwelling, domestic garage, and wastewater treatment system at Ballynamaghery, Riverstown, Dundalk. The site is situated within Rural Policy Zone 2 of the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027, which is defined as an 'Area Under Strong Urban Influence.' Louth County Council refused the application because the applicant did not adequately demonstrate a social or economic need to reside in the area as per Policy HOU 41. Furthermore, t...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.