211121
Permission for demolition of an existing storage shed; construction of 66 no. residential units on a site of c. 2.433 hectares. All units are provided with private amenity space in the form of gardens or balconies/terraces. The 66 no. units consist of 20 no. terraced/end of terrace houses, 26 no. semi-detached and 20 no. duplex units. The proposed houses are a mix of 2 and 3 storeys in height while the duplex buildings are proposed at 3 storeys in height. The 46 no. houses consist of a mix of 3 and 4 bedroom units (14 no. 4 bed and 32 no. 3 bed). The 20 no. duplexes consist of the following: 10 no. 2 bedroom units, 10 no. 3 bedroom units. The proposal includes the provision of a new vehicular entrance and access road from the existing Dunmore housing estate, car and bicycle parking, EV charging points, public and communal open space with associated landscaping, new boundary treatments, all associated internal access roads, cycleway/footpath, bin stores, foul and surface water drainage, site lighting, electricity sub-station, development naming feature and all associated and ancillary site works. A Natura Impact Statement accompanies this application
Core Refusal Reason
The development was refused due to inappropriate access through lands zoned for open space, significant flood risk concerns, inadequate sustainable drainage (SuDS) proposals, and insufficient evidence to rule out adverse impacts on protected Natura 2000 sites.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed vehicular access traverses lands specifically zoned for recreation and open space, which materially contravenes the established zoning objectives for the area.
- The site is highly vulnerable to flooding from the Black Water River, and the proposal failed to demonstrate that the development would not exacerbate flood risk to neighboring properties or provide adequate sustainable drainage (SuDS).
- The Planning Authority could not be satisfied that the development would not adversely affect the integrity of the Dundalk Bay SAC and SPA, given deficiencies in the Natura Impact Statement and the site's role as a flood basin.