Latest refusal decisions.

Refusal reason evidence not yet indexed.

1. The proposed extension by reason of its scale, proportions and overall design concept and general design features is incapable of integrating with the existing dwelling. The proposed extension is neither subordinate in terms of scale nor complementary in terms of design to the existing dwelling and is therefore not in accordance with Section 12.8 (House Extensions) of the Roscommon County Development Plan 2022- 2028 and, if permitted, would set an undesirable precedent for similar types of development, would seriously injure the visual amenities and character of the area and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. The original traditional cottage is not visually apparent in the design proposal and no elements of the original cottage remain distinguishable. The extent of works proposed would result in the original structure being altered and subsumed into a design concept which is tantamount to a new dwelling. Having regard to this, the proposed development is contrary to Policy Objective PPH 3.18 of the Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028, which requires the sensitive refurbishment of existing vernacular dwellings, fails to comply with the policy position set out in Section 12.8 in respect of house extensions and in overall terms fails to accord with the design parameters for rural housing as set out in Section 12.7 (Rural House Design Considerations) of the Plan and the design guidance contained in the associated County Roscommon Rural Design Guidelines. The proposed development, if permitted would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
3. Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the proposed wastewater treatment system and percolation area is sufficient to serve the proposed development. In the absence of evidence of the adequacy of the proposed arrangement and demonstration of compliance with the requirements of the EPA Code of Practice Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (Population Equivalent ≤ 10) (2021), it is considered that the development has the potential to be injurious to public health and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Having regard to the site characteristics, the results of the probe testing carried out and the site location in an area of extreme groundwater vulnerability, it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that the subject site is suitable for the safe disposal of effluent in accordance with the requirements of the EPA Code of Practice: Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (P.E≤ 10) (2021). The proposed development would therefore be prejudicial to public health and contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

1. The proposed development is on lands which form part of an area of the ‘District Centre’ land use zone as idenƟfied in the currently applicable Monksland/Bellanamullia (Athlone West) LAP 2016-2022. IrrespecƟve of the inclusion of a small retail unit and café in a detached structure adjacent to the L- 7596 local road, the predominant element of the development proposal is for the provision of a large standalone supermarket structure of generic design and lacking in architectural merit. In conjuncƟon with this dominant, uƟlitarian structure and the resultant adverse visual impact arising, the proposed site layout arrangement has been designed to prioriƟse the accommodaƟon of vehicle borne users of the proposed facility, incorporaƟng carparking provision in an isolated manner and insular manner solely to serve the proposed development and segregated from the wider core area of Monksland. Notwithstanding the limited aspects of ancillary development proposed on the western site frontage, the overall development concept, dominated by the aforemenƟoned large, supermarket structure of generic design, fails to provide an integrated mixed land use approach to the development of the ‘District Centre’ zoned lands. The proposed development if permiƩed would fail to saƟsfy the primary land use zoning objecƟves for these centrally posiƟoned lands as set out in the Monksland/Bellanamullia (Athlone West) LAP 2016-2022 and would militate against the achievement of the objecƟves in the Athlone Joint Retail Strategy 2019- 2026 (including Policy ObjecƟve RP IO) for the River Village area to develop as a mixed use centre. In addiƟon, the proposed development would fail to provide a sufficiently high quality built environment nor would it create a disƟncƟve sense of place and consequently is contrary to Policy ObjecƟve TV 4.1 of the Roscommon County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 (Volume I). The proposed development would also fail to enhance the fabric of the exisƟng urban area, with the predominance proposed structure failing to adhere to the principles of good urban design, as required in Policy ObjecƟve TV 4.3 of the County Development Plan. The proposed development would set a precedent for other similarly inappropriate development, would fail to make a posiƟve contribuƟon to the ‘District Centre’ environment and fails to reflect the key principles of placemaking. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. The development if permiƩed in isolaƟon would result in the creaƟon of a development on the subject lands which has a limited mix of uses, would be dominated by vehicular access, would fail to provide connecƟvity to and integrate with other surrounding ‘District Centre’ zoned lands, and would not assist in consolidaƟng the built-up area nor would it be conducive to creaƟng a vibrant centre and sense of place in this core area of Monksland. The proposed development would militate against the achievement of the principles set out in Roscommon County Council’s Smarter Travel IniƟaƟve, which emphasises the prioriƟsaƟon of pedestrian mobility and alternaƟve modes of transport to the car, and would fail to promote the principles of acƟve travel and sustainable development.

It has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that the site is suitable for the safe disposal of effluent in accordance with the 2021 EPA Code of Practice: Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (P.E≤ 10) having regard to the observed conditions on site, the significant slope and drainage present on site, saturated soil, groundworks carried out in the area of the proposed infiltration area and the level of mottling observed in the main trial hole. The proposed development would therefore be prejudicial to public health and contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Refusal reason evidence not yet indexed.