Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to the applicant's failure to demonstrate a local housing need, the negative impact on rural character resulting from a lack of natural screening and required hedgerow removal, and insufficient evidence regarding the safety and compliance of the proposed wastewater treatment system.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed development lacks natural screening and would require the extensive removal of existing boundary hedgerows to provide visibility splays, resulting in a loss of rural character and contributing to overdevelopment.
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with the Local Housing Need Qualifying Criteria (Criteria 3 & 4) for Rural Policy Zone 2.
- The applicant did not demonstrate to the satisfaction of the planning authority that the proposed wastewater treatment system complies with the EPA Code of Practice, which is considered prejudicial to public health.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy HOU 42Section 13.9.4Policy HOU 41Policy IU 18Policy HOU 40
Decision Document Summary
Outline planning permission was sought for a dwelling house and wastewater treatment system at Annaghvacky, Hackballscross, Co. Louth, situated within Rural Policy Zone 2 (an area under strong urban influence). The site is located in an agricultural field with minimal natural boundaries. Louth County Council refused the application on three primary grounds: the visual impact and loss of rural character due to necessary hedgerow removal for road safety; the failure of the applicant to prove a gen...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.