Core Refusal Reason
Failure to demonstrate a genuine rural housing need, unsuitable site conditions for wastewater treatment, and negative visual impact resulting from inappropriate backland development in a sensitive landscape.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to substantiate a genuine rural housing need or establish intrinsic links to the area, as required by Objective RHO1, due to the absence of essential documentation such as landholding details and birth certificates.
- The site is technically unsuitable for the safe disposal of domestic effluent because of poor drainage characteristics, waterlogging, and high aquifer vulnerability, posing a significant risk to public health and groundwater quality.
- The proposed backland development, characterized by an elongated driveway on an elevated site within a Class 2 landscape, would create a haphazard arrangement that detracts from the visual amenity and rural character of the area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Objective RHO 1Objective RHO 9Objective LCM 1Objective LCM 2DM Standard 6Chapter 3Chapter 9Chapter 13Section 9.10.1Section 9.11Section 13.3Section 13.4
Decision Document Summary
The proposal sought permission for a 178.57 sq m dwelling and domestic garage on a 0.3ha elevated site at Both Chuma Thiar, Co. Galway, located within the Galway Transportation Planning Study (GTPS) area and a Class 2 landscape. Galway County Council refused the application because the applicants did not demonstrate a qualifying rural housing need under Objective RHO1. Furthermore, the site was deemed unsuitable for wastewater treatment due to poor drainage and rock outcrops, and the backland na...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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