Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the unjustified loss of biodiversity habitats and the failure to provide critical environmental and flood risk assessments required to protect European sites and manage flood risk in a vulnerable coastal area.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposal results in the unjustified loss of natural drainage channels and biodiversity habitats, directly contravening policies NBG 9 and NBG 11 of the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027.
- The applicant failed to submit a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment or surface water drainage scheme, meaning the Planning Authority could not be satisfied that the development would not exacerbate flooding in an area identified as vulnerable to tidal flood events.
- In the absence of an Appropriate Assessment screening or Natura Impact Statement, the Planning Authority was precluded from granting permission as it could not be determined that the works would not adversely affect the integrity of the Dundalk Bay SAC and SPA.
Cited Policies (CDP)
NBG 3NBG 4NBG 5NBG 6NBG 9NBG 10NBG 11Section 8.5E1 General Employment
Decision Document Summary
The applicant sought permission for the piping of approximately 443 metres of existing open drains and the infilling/levelling of a 5.181-hectare site for agricultural benefit at Dowdallshill, Dundalk, Co. Louth. The site is zoned for General Employment and is located within the Raskeagh River catchment, which contains salmonid spawning habitats and is vulnerable to coastal flooding. The application was refused because the applicant failed to provide essential technical documentation, including ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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