Latest refusal decisions.

1. The proposed development is accessed off the L-16182, where sightlines of 90 metres in both directions are required for safe vehicular entry/exit. It is a policy (RD POL 38) of the Meath County Development Plan 2021 – 2027, ‘”To ensure that all development accessing off the county’s road network is at a location and carried out in a manner which would not endanger public safety by way of a traffic hazard”. The applicant has not satisfactorily indicated unobstructed forward visibility stopping sightlines in both directions and has therefore failed to demonstrate the required sightlines from the proposed site entrance. The proposed development would be injurious to public safety by reason of a traffic hazard and would establish an undesirable future precedent which would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. It is the policy (RD POL 9) of the Meath County Development 2021 – 2027, to require “all applications for rural houses to comply with the ‘Meath Rural House Design Guide”. Whilst the design of the proposed dwelling is generally acceptable to the Planning Authority, the proposed development by reason of its siting and lack of a robust landscaping and planting scheme fails to integrate with the character of the surrounding r ural area and would form a visually obtrusive feature, which would not respect and integrate with the surrounding landscape. Accordingly, to permit the proposed development would be contrary the aforementioned policy provisions of the Meath County Development Plan 2021- 2027 and thereby contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
3. It is an objective (HER OBJ 33) of the Meath County Development Plan 2021 - 2027, ‘ ensure an Appropriate Assessment in accordance with Article 6(3) and Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directives (92/43/EEC)’. Having regard to the location of the site adjacent to the Delvin River (Delvin_040), which flows north- easterly along the eastern boundary of the subject site and which provides a hydrological connection to the North-West Irish Sea SPA (Site Code: 004236), the Planning Authority is not satisfied, on the basis of the information submitted, that the proposed development, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, would not be likely to have a significant effect on a European site. In the absence of sufficient information to enable the Planning Authority to undertake an Appropriate Assessment, and having regard to the potential for impacts arising from surface water pollution, habitat disturbance and the spread of invasive species, the proposed development would be contrary to HER OBJ 33 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021–2027 and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
4. It is an objective (INF OBJ 14) of the Meath County Development Plan 2021 – 2027, “To co-operate with the EPA and other authorities in the continued implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive”. The subject site is adjacent to the Delvin River (Delvin_040), which is classified by the EPA as an ‘At Risk’ water body with a ‘Poor’ Ecological Status and is located within the Nanny-Delvin hydrometric area (IE_EA_08D010400). Having regard to the absence of a hydrological assessment and the inadequacy of the surface water management proposals submitted, the Planning Authority is not satisfied that the proposed development would not result in a deterioration of the ecological status of the water body or impede the achievement of the Water Framework Directive objective of attaining ‘Good Status’. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to INF OBJ 14 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021–2027 and would be prejudicial to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
5. It is a policy (RD POL 48) of the Meath County Development Plan 2021 – 2027, “To ensure all septic tank/proprietary treatment plants and polishing filter/percolation areas satisfy the criteria set out in the Environmental Protection Agency ‘Code of Practice Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Population Equivalent ≤10)’ (2021) (or any other updated code of practice guidelines) in order to safeguard individual and group water schemes”. The Site Characterisation Report submitted for the proposed wastewater treatment system has failed to identify the location of a waterbody (Delvin_040) flowing along the eastern boundary of the application site in addition to a wetland area indicated as comprising sediment (Alluvium) which is also located on the eastern boundary of the development. As such, the applicant has failed to demonstrate that wastewater generated by the proposed development can be treated on site and would not be compliant with the 2021 EPA Code of Practice for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (PE≤10). The development would therefore be prejudicial to public health and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The applicant has not demonstrated that unobstructed sightlines of 90 metres to the nearside edge of the road, in accordance with TII document DN -GEO-03060, can be provided from the site entrance. The applicant has also not demonstrated that unobstructed forward visibility stopping sightlines of 90 metres, in accordance with TII document DN-GEO-03031 can be provided from the site entrance and therefore the proposed development would result in a traffic hazard. As such, the proposed development if permitted would contravene TII document DN-GEO-03031 and would constitute a traffic hazard at this location connecting to a local road L-34036 and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Refusal reason evidence not yet indexed.

Refusal reason evidence not yet indexed.

It is policy DM OBJ 49 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 that all applications for family flat development shall form an integral part of the structure of the main house with provision for direct internal access to the remainder of the house i.e. not detached. The proposed detached family flat fails to comply with Policy DM OBJ 49 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021–2027, which requires family flats to form an integral part of the main dwelling with direct internal access and to be capable of reverting to part of the original house. Accordingly, the proposed development would be contrary to Policy DM OBJ 49 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021–2027 and would set an undesirable precedent for similar forms of development in the area, thereby being contra ry to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The proposed development is located within a rural ‘Area Under Strong Urban Influence’ where it is a requirement for applicants to (i) comply with the Local Needs Qualifying Criteria as outlined in Section 9.4 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 and to (ii) demonstrate a rural housing need. It is considered, based on the information submitted, that the applicant has not established a site specific rural generated housing need for a dwelling in this rural location. The proposed development would be contrary to the policy of the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for Planning Authorities and the Meath County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and would establish a very undesirable future precedent.

Refusal reason evidence not yet indexed.

Refusal reason evidence not yet indexed.

1. The subject site is zoned RA – Rural Area with an objective to “To protect and promote in a balanced way, the development of agriculture, forestry and sustainable rural-related enterprise, community facilities, biodiversity, the rural landscape, and the built and cultural heritage. ” The applicant has not provided a satisfactory justification for the need and purpose of this structure. It is considered that the structure due to the nature, scale, mass and bulk would be inappropriate as a domestic ancillary building. The Planning Autho rity consider that the sensory room would be more appropriate as an extension to the main dwelling, while the justification for the remaining elements is not acceptable. It is considered that the proposed development would contravene DM OBJ 62 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021 -2027, and would be and contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. The proposed development, when taken in conjunction with existing and permitted development in the area would consolidate a haphazard and incongruous pattern of development which would be inappropriate to this rural area, and would result in an unduly precedent in the area, and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Having regard to the location of the dwelling to the rear of the existing dwelling, the absence of independent road frontage, the design and layout of the dwelling which is below the requirements of the Development Management Standards of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 and the Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities-Best Practice Guidelines for Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, 2007, and the general pattern of development in the area, it is considered that the proposed development if permitted would result in a poor standard of residential amenity for the intended occupants, would impact on the residential amenity of the existing dwelling and adjoining properties, would be contrary to the policy provisions of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 and National Planning Guidelines, would depreciate the value of the adjoining properties and set an undesirable precedent for future development in the area. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

1. The proposed development by virtue of an isolated domestic shed/garage and the creation of a new entrance to serve the structure, which is not associated with a residential dwelling and located in close proximity to a Strategic Corridor (N52) in a rural area (RA ‘Rural Area’ as defined in the Meath County Development Plan), would materially contravene RD POL 39 which seeks to ‘ identify and protect those non -national roads of regional or local importance from unnecessary and excessive individual access/egres s points, which would prejudice the carrying capacity and ultimately the function of the road’. The principle of the proposed garage/shed structure and use is not acceptable to the Planning Authority in this rural context as it is not ancillary to an existing residential development and would therefore represent a haphazard form of development in the countryside. As the principle of the development is not considered acceptable, proximity of the subject lands and proposed entrance to the Strategic Corridor (N52) would contravene RD POL 39 and set an undesirable precedent for other similar developments, which would in themselves and cumulatively not be in the interest of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. The proposed development would generate an intensification of traffic onto the N52 which is a protected route and would therefore materially contravene MOV POL 24 which seeks ‘ safeguard the capacity and safety of the National road network by applying the provisions of the Department of Environment Community and Local Governments – ‘Spatial Planning and National Roads-Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2012’ to avoid the creation of any additional development access to national roads and intensification of existing access to national roads to which speed limits greater than 60kph apply, save in accordance with agreed ‘exceptional circumstances’ included in MOV POL 33’. For this reason, it is considered that the proposed development would materially contravene MOV POL 24 and would set an undesirable precedent for other similar developments, which would in themselves and cumulatively not be in the interest of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

It is a policy of the Meath County Development Plan 2021–2027 (DM OBJ 52 and DM OBJ 54) to ensure that appropriately sized and conveniently located bin storage facilities are provided within residential developments and are integrated with the design and character of the scheme. The proposed relocation of the bin storage area to the rear of Units 15, 16, 17 and 18 would result in a visually incongruous and poorly integrated element within the development, failing to respect the established character and app earance of the surrounding area. Furthermore, the proposed development would result in the loss of an area previously designated for landscaping and communal open space, thereby diminishing the visual amenity and recreational function of the development. In addition, by reason of its proximity to adjoining residential properties, the proposed bin storage area would be likely to give rise to noise, odour and general disturbance associated with its use and servicing, to the detriment of the residential amenit ies of nearby occupants. The Planning Authority therefore considers that the proposed development would be contrary to DM OBJ 52 and DM OBJ 54 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021–2027 and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

1. Having regard to the zoning objective of the site which is designated as ‘A1 Existing Residential’, within the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, and has a zoning objective ‘To protect and enhance the amenity and character of existing residential communities’, and the provisions relating to public open space as set out in Section 11.5.11 of the Development Plan and the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities, it is considered that the proposed development, by reason of the reduction and loss of existing public open space associated with the adjacent ‘The Hollies’ development, would constitute a substandard form of development and an overdevelopment of the subject site and would seriously injure the residential amenity of the area and the amenities of the future occupants of the proposed dwellings and the existing and future occupants of ‘The Hollies’ development. Furthermore, the application and development description do not include a request for the amendment of Condition Nos. 1 and 5 of Planning Permission Ref. 21/387, which relate to the provision and retention of public open space serving the development, nor do they provide for the inclusion of ‘The Hollies’ development within the application site by way of an extension of the red line boundary. In the absence of such information and accompanying planning justification, the Planning Authority is not satisfied that the proposed loss of public open space is acceptable. To grant permission in these circumstances would be contrary to the provisions of the Meath County Development Plan 2021- 2027 and the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. The Planning Authority is not satisfied, based on the information submitted, that the proposed development provides for a satisfactory access arrangement and internal road layout. In particular, the applicant has failed to demonstrate adequate and unobstructed visibility splays at the proposed priority junction, the proposed junction arrangement is not designed perpendicular to the Hazelwood Estate Road, and the proposed corner radii have not been demonstrated to comply with the principles and standards contained in the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS). Furthermore, the proposal fails to provide adequate details in relation to tactile paving, traffic signs and road markings, bin storage and bicycle storage facilities serving the proposed terraced dwellings. In addition, a Stage 1 Road Safety Audit has not been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed development can be accommodated safely. The Planning Authority is therefore not satisfied that the proposed development would provide for adequate pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular safety or a satisfactory standard of residential amenity and, consequently, the proposed development would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
3. The Planning Authority is not satisfied that the proposed development can be adequately served by an appropriately designed surface water drainage system. The applicant has failed to provide sufficient information in relation to the proposed surface water management strategy, including details of the proposed flow control device and associated infrastructure, evidence that the required greenfield runoff rate can be achieved, a breakdown of impermeable and permeable areas used in the drainage design, BRE 365 infiltration testing and groundwater level information, a detailed design of the proposed attenuation system, and written confirmation of consent to discharge surface water to the existing drainage network. In addition, the submitted proposals have not demonstrated compliance with sustainable drainage principles, including the appropriate location of soakaways, the provision of permeable paving, treatment of surface water runoff and pollution control measures. In the absence of this information, the Planning Authority is not satisfied that the proposed development would not give rise to flooding, pollution, inadequate drainage infrastructure or adverse impacts on adjacent lands and the receiving drainage network. To grant permission in such circumstances would be contrary to Policy INF POL 16 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, which seeks to ensure that all planning applications for new development have regard to the surface water management policies contained within the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study (GDSDS). The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Section 42(1) of the Planning and Development Act 2000-2023 states that, on application and subject to subsection (8), a planning authority shall extend the appropriate period by such additional period not exceeding five years as it considers requisite to enable the development to be completed, provided that the authority is satisfied that the development commenced before expiration of the appropriate period, substantial works were carried out pursuant to the permission during that period, and the development will be completed within a reasonable time. The development to which the permission relates has not commenced nor have substantial works been carried out on site. Therefore, the application to extend the appropriate period is not considered to be in accordance with Section 42(1) of the Planning and Development Act 2000-2023.

1. Policy RUR DEV SP 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 seeks to ensure that individual house developments in rural areas satisfy the housing requirements of persons who are an intrinsic part of the rural community in which they are proposed, subject to compliance with normal planning criteria. The applicant applied for permission based on Section 9.4 Persons who are an Intrinsic Part of the Rural Community under the following definition, “Persons who have spent substantial periods of their lives, living in rural areas as members of the established rural community for a period in excess of five years and who do not possess a dwelling or who have not possessed a dwelling in the past in which they have resided or who possess a dwelling in which they do not currently reside”. It is considered the applicant has failed to provide adequate and verifiable information to establish a rural housing need and hence the Planning Authority is not satisfied that that a rural housing need in accordance with the above provisions of the plan has been established. The proposed development would be contrary to the policy of the Ministerial Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for Planning Authorities and the Meath County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and would establish a very undesirable future precedent.
2. The proposed development is located in a rural area where the pattern of development is characterised by low-density housing on road frontage sites. The proposed development by reason of its back- land location is considered to be out of context with the nature of existing development in the area and if permitted would constitute the unacceptable and haphazard development of back lands. The proposal would, therefore, be seriously injurious to the residential amenities of property in the vicinity and would set an undesirable precedent for further such development and as such would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

1. The Planning Authority notes that the public notices and development description fail to reference the retention of existing temporary structures located on the site. To grant permission for the proposed development in the absence of an explicit applicatio n for retention permission would serve to facilitate unauthorised development on the site, and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. It is also considered that the design of the temporary structures would not be in keeping with the visual amenity or character of the rural area.
2. It is considered that the proposed development by virtue of its temporary nature and intended use as a place of worship and school proposed to be located in the rural area which is zoned RA ‘Rural Area’ in the Meath County Development Plan would not accord with the zoning objective for RA ‘to protect and promote in a balanced way, the development of agriculture, forestry and sustainable rural -related enterprise, community facilities, biodiversity, the rural landscape, and the built and cultural heritage.’ Place of worship is not listed as a permitted use nor a use open for consideration under the RA Zoning Objective. Furthermore, it is considered that the proposed development would not accord with SOC POL 47 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021- 2027, wh ich seeks to encourage and facilitate the development of places of worship in appropriate locations in urban centres and proximate to residential communities. Therefore, the proposed development would not accord with a zoning objective and SOC POL 47 outli ned in the Meath County Development Plan 2021- 2027 and would set an undesirable precedent for other similar developments, which would in themselves and cumulatively not be in the interest of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

1. It is a policy (RD POL 9) of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, “To require all applications for rural houses to comply with the ‘Meath Rural House Design Guide”. Furthermore, policy RD POL 30 seeks, “To promote the viable re -use of vernacular dwellings without losing their character and to support applications for the sensitive restoration of disused vernacular or traditional dwellings”. The existing dwelling is considered to be a good example of vernacular dwelling in the rural area. The proposed development by reason of its siting and form is considered out of keeping and fails to integrate with the highly sensitive character of the immediate surrounding rural area and would form a visually obtrusive feature, which would not respect and integrate with the surrounding landscape. Accordingly, to permit the proposed development would be contrary to the policies and provisions of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 and thereby contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. It is a policy (RD POL 9) of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, “To require all applications for rural houses to comply with the ‘Meath Rural House Design Guide”. Having regard to the siting and nature of the mobile home to be retained, it is considered that the development constitutes a substandard and temporary form of development that is out of character with the immediate surrounding rural area and would form a visually obtrusive feature, which would not respect and integrate with the surrounding landscape and would seriously injure the residential amenities of occupants of the structure, and would set an undesirable precedent for similar forms of development. Accordingly, to permit the proposed development would be contrary to the aforementioned policy provisions of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 and thereby be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

1. The proposed development is located within a ‘Low Development Pressure Area’ where it is a requirement for applicants to (i) comply with the Local Needs Qualifying Criteria as outlined in Section 9.4 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 and to (ii) demonstrate a rural housing need. It is considered the applicant has failed to provide robust evidence to support this requirement, as they presently are in the ownership of a dwelling in which they reside, and hence the Planning Authority is not satisfied that that a rural housing need in accordance with the above provisions of the plan has been established. The proposed development would be contrary to the policy of the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for Planning Authorities and the Meath County Development Plan 2021- 2027 and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and would establish a very undesirable future precedent.
2. Having regard to the failure of the particulars submitted with the application to demonstrate achievable visibility splays in accordance with the requirements the Local Planning Authority, the Planning Authority is not satisfied on the basis of the information submitted that safe visibility splays can be provided in each direction to the required standards. Accordingly, to permit the proposed development would endanger public safety by reason of a traffic hazard, would be contrary to the aforementioned policy provisions of the Meath County Development Plan 2021- 2027 and thereby contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

1. Policy RUR DEV SP 2 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 seeks to ensure that individual house developments in rural areas satisfy the housing requirements of persons who are an intrinsic part of the rural community in which they are proposed, subject to compliance with normal planning criteria. The applicant applied for permission based on Section 9.4 Persons who are an Intrinsic Part of the Rural Community under the following definition, “Persons who have spent substantial periods of their lives, living in rural areas as members of the established rural community for a period in excess of five years and who do not possess a dwelling or who have not possessed a dwelling in the past in which they have resided or who possess a dwelling in which they do not currently reside”. It is considered the applicant has failed to provide adequate and verifiable information to establish a rural housing need and hence the Planning Authority is not satisfied that that a rural housing need in accordance with the above provisions of the plan has been established. The proposed development would be contrary to the policy of the Ministerial Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for Planning Authorities and the Meath County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and would establish a very undesirable future precedent.
2. It is the policy of the Council under RD POL 9 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021- 2027 ‘to require all applications for rural houses to comply with the Meath Rural House Design Guide’. Having regard to the elevated nature of the application site and design and appearance of thproposed development in particular the excessive height it is considered that the proposed development by reason of its siting, design, and layout would result in a strident and obtrusive physical development prominent in the landscape when viewed from the public road. In addition, it would set an undesirable precedent of a disorderly form of physical development currently free of development into the host environment in a manner seriously injurious to visual amenity of the rural landscape.
3. The proposed development would involve the creation of a new vehicular entrance onto the L‑2807 -0 public road where adequate traffic sightlines have not been demonstrated. In particular, the applicant has failed to provide unobstructed sightlines of 90 met res in both directions, measured to the nearside edge of the road from a set‑back of 2.4 metres, as required for a road with a 60 km/h speed limit. Furthermore, the entrance layout does not adequately demonstrate compliance with TII document DN‑GEO‑03060 and the Meath Rural Design Guide, including requirements relating to sight distance, entrance geometry, and the positioning of gates and entrance piers. In the absence of satisfactory sightlines and a compliant entrance design, the proposed development would endanger public road users by reason of traffic hazard and obstruction of visibility and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
4. The proposed development would involve the removal of substantial sections of front boundary/hedgerow to facilitate the domestic entrance. The Planning Authority actively discourages hedgerow removal in accordance with HER POL 37 of the Development Plan. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to policy HER POL 37 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, would set an undesirable precedent for similar type future development, would mitigate against the preservation of the rural environment, and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Section 42(1) of the Planning and Development Act 2000-2023 states that, on application and subject to subsection (8), a planning authority shall extend the appropriate period by such additional period not exceeding five years as it considers requisite to enable the development to be completed, provided that the authority is satisfied that the development commenced before expiration of the appropriate period, substantial works were carried out pursuant to the permission during that period, and the development will be completed within a reasonable time. The development to which the permission relates has not commenced and neither, therefore, have substantial works been carried out on site. As such, the application to extend the appropriate period is not considered to be in accordance with Section 42(1) of the Planning and Development Act 2000-2023.

1. Having regard to an insufficient planning justification for the proposed development as submitted with the application demonstrating how the proposed development would adhere to the relevant policies and objectives of the Meath County Development Plan, 2021-2027, (RUR DEV SO 1 and RUR DEV 10) it is considered that the applicant has not sufficiently demonstrated that the proposed development is in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Accordingly, to grant the development, as proposed, would seriously injure the residential amenities of the adjacent properties, would depreciate the value of properties in the vicinity, would materially contravene said policies of the County Development Plan, and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. The proposed development would result in the creation of an additional vehicular access onto the R-163 Regional Road which is identified as a Strategic Corridor in the CDP. The unnecessary proliferation of accesses onto this strategic route would increase traffic conflict points and prejudice the safe and efficient operation of the public road.

1. It is an objective (DM OBJ 11) of the Meath County Plan 2021 – 2027 to require “Existing trees and hedgerows of biodiversity and/or amenity value shall be retained, where possible” and a policy (RD POL 9) “To require all applications for rural houses to comply with the ‘Meath Rural House Design Guide’”. The proposed boundary fence and by reason of its design, appearance and siting along the adjoining road would be out of keeping with the rural character of the surrounding area and would have a harmful impact on the visual amenity of the surrounding area and would establish an undesirable precedent for similar types of developments. It is considered that the proposed development would conflict with the policies and objectives of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 and with the provisions of the Meath Rural House Design Guide, would establish an undesirable future precedent and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. It is a policy of the Meath County Development Plan 2021 -2027, “ To encourage the retention of hedgerows and other distinctive boundary treatments in rural areas and prevent loss and fragmentation, where practically possible. Where removal of a hedgerow, stone wall or other distinctive boundary treatment is unavoidable, mitigation by provision of the same type of boundary will be require” (HER POL 37) and “To discourage proposals necessitating the removal of extensive amount of trees, hedgerows and historic walls or other distinctive boundary treatments”. (HER POL 53). The proposed removal of c. 60m of hedgerow and the erection of a 2.1m fence is considered to be in contrast to the aforementioned policy and will result in fragmentation of hedges and trees. To permit the proposed development would contravene the policy and objective of the Meath County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 and would thereby establish an undesirable future precedent and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
3. It is a policy of the Meath County Development Plan 2021- 2027, “To require all applications for rural houses to comply with the ‘Meath Rural House Design Guide”. (RD POL 9). The applicant has not provided suitable detail relating to the proposed finish of the existing dwelling by way of a sample of the proposed stone finish. It is therefore considered that to permit the proposed development would contravene the aforementioned policy of the Meath County Development Plan 2021 - 2027 and seriously injure the amenities in the vicinity and would thereby be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
4. The applicant has not demonstrated that unobstructed sightlines in accordance with TII document DN - GEO-03060 can be provided from the existing entrance following the proposed works. The development, if permitted, would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard, would set an undesirable precedent and would therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.