Core Refusal Reason
The applicants failed to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need as they already own a home in the area, and the proposal was deemed to constitute undesirable, visually obtrusive backland development.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicants do not meet the rural housing need criteria defined in CPO 9.1 of the County Development Plan because they already own a residential property within this rural area under strong urban influence.
- The proposed dwelling would result in haphazard backland development that is poorly integrated with the existing built form and visually obtrusive due to its elevated position relative to the road and existing house.
- The development would seriously injure the residential amenities of the area, depreciate property values in the vicinity, and set an undesirable precedent for similar unsustainable development patterns.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 9.1CPO 9.2CPO 9.8CPO 9.13CPO 9.14CPO 9.17CPO 9.18CPO 9.19CPO 9.20CPO 16.32CPO 16.33CPO 16.34
Decision Document Summary
The proposal sought permission for a 214sqm single-storey dwelling and a 78sqm garage located in the rear garden of the applicants' existing bungalow at Ballyowen, Killucan, Co. Westmeath. The site is situated in a rural area designated as being under 'Strong Urban Influence'. Westmeath County Council refused the application on two main grounds: firstly, the applicants failed to satisfy local housing need requirements as they are already homeowners in the area; and secondly, the elevated backlan...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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