Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to establish a site-specific rural housing need in a Strong Rural Area, the proposed entrance on a Strategic Corridor (R154) would endanger public safety and contravene road policies, and insufficient information was provided to rule out significant effects on Natura 2000 sites.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant did not meet the Local Needs Qualifying Criteria set out in Section 9.4 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, failing to demonstrate a genuine site-specific rural housing need for this location.
- The creation of a new access point onto the R154, identified as a Strategic Corridor, would contravene policy RD POL 40, interfere with the safety and free flow of traffic, and establish an undesirable future precedent.
- In the absence of a screening report or sufficient environmental data, the Planning Authority could not conclude that the development would not have a significant effect on the River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC, contrary to objective HER OBJ 33.
Cited Policies (CDP)
RUR DEV SP 2RD POL 4RD POL 5Section 9.4RD POL 38RD POL 39RD POL 40Section 9.15.2Section 9.15.3RD POL 9WS POL 29WS POL 32HER OBJ 33
Decision Document Summary
John O' Sullivan proposed the construction of a dwelling, garage, and wastewater treatment system at Kilkeelan, Athboy, Co. Meath. The site is located in a 'Strong Rural Area' and is accessed via the R154 Strategic Corridor. Meath County Council refused permission primarily because the applicant failed to demonstrate a local housing need as required by the Development Plan. Additionally, the proposed entrance was deemed a traffic hazard on a high-capacity regional road, and the lack of an Approp...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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