Core Refusal Reason
The proposal was deemed unsatisfactory due to a contemporary design that is inconsistent with rural housing guidance, insufficient road frontage, and traffic safety concerns regarding sightlines and hedgerow removal.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed contemporary flat-roof design is considered inconsistent with the rural design guidance in Appendix 7 of the County Development Plan and is viewed as resembling an outbuilding rather than a dwelling.
- The development fails to meet the minimum road frontage requirement of 30m and raises significant concerns regarding the potential loss of mature trees and hedgerows required to achieve necessary sightlines.
- The proposal creates backland development conditions, necessitating a shared access arrangement with the existing dwelling which was not adequately addressed in the submitted plans.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Appendix 7Table 4.4Policy DM RH 5Policy DM RH 1Policy BNH 28National Policy Objective 19National Policy Objective 20
Decision Document Summary
Brian Nugent applied for permission to construct a one-off rural dwelling and septic tank system at Ballintogher, Co. Laois, on a 0.2025ha site located within an 'Area under Strong Urban Influence'. While the applicant successfully demonstrated a local rural housing need, the Planning Authority found the 81sqm contemporary flat-roof design to be architecturally unsuitable for the rural context. Furthermore, the application was refused on the grounds of substandard road frontage and unresolved tr...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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