Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need in an 'Area under Urban Influence' and the proposal would necessitate excessive hedgerow removal, negatively impacting rural character and road safety.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant does not comply with the Rural Housing Policy for areas under urban influence as they previously owned a house in the local area between 2014 and 2020, meaning the proposal is not for a first home.
- The development would require the removal of approximately 90m of roadside hedgerow to achieve necessary sightlines, which would be significantly detrimental to the established rural character and biodiversity of the area.
- In the absence of the total removal of the front boundary hedgerow, the proposed access would provide inadequate sightlines, thereby creating a traffic hazard and endangering public safety.
Cited Policies (CDP)
National Policy Objective 19Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021-2027Section 7.8.4Section 9.1.1.1 HedgerowsSection 13.22.1 Access and Sight LinesSection 4.4 of the Sustainable Rural Housing - Guidelines for Planning Authorities
Decision Document Summary
James Hennessy applied for permission to construct a single-storey dwelling and detached garage at Granny, Kilmacow, Co. Kilkenny. The site is located within an 'Area under Urban Influence' as defined by the Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021-2027. The Planning Authority refused the application on two primary grounds: firstly, the applicant failed to meet the eligibility criteria for rural housing because they had previously owned a home in the locality; and secondly, the required re...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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