Core Planning Reasoning
The development was refused primarily due to a substandard access road that poses a traffic hazard and inadequate site characterization for wastewater treatment, which risks groundwater pollution in a regionally important aquifer.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant demonstrated compliance with rural housing policy (Objective RH2) based on local residency, but technical site constraints outweigh personal eligibility.
- The private access road is too narrow to allow two vehicles to pass and lacks pedestrian infrastructure, meaning additional traffic would endanger public safety.
- The wastewater treatment assessment is flawed as the trial hole depth failed to meet the 3-meter EPA requirement for regionally important aquifers, and evidence of a high water table makes the site unsuitable for effluent disposal.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RH2DM Standard 28Galway County Development Plan 2022-2028
Decision Document Summary
The applicant sought permission for a part-two-storey, 4-bedroom house and domestic garage at Abbert Demesne, Co. Galway. While Galway County Council initially granted permission, the Inspector recommended refusal following a third-party appeal. The site is located in a 'Rural Area Under Strong Urban Pressure' and is accessed via a private road known as 'Moor Road.' Despite the applicant's 7-year residency in the area qualifying them for a house under local policy, the Inspector found the access...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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