Refusal decisions · 28 Sep–4 Oct 2026

2. As set out in the Cork County Development Plan 2022, it is a stated objective of the Council to encourage new dwelling house design that respects the character, pattern and tradition of existing places, materials and built forms and integrates appropriately into the landscape, in accordance with Objective RP 5-22. Furthermore, Objective GI 14-9 seeks to (a) protect the visual and scenic amenities of County Cork’s built and natural environment and (c) ensure that new development achieves high standards of siting and design. It is considered that the proposed development would constitute an inappropriate backland development detached from the established road frontage pattern in the area and would result in a fragmented and piecemeal form of development that would be out of character with the prevailing settlement structure. As such, the proposal would detract from the visual and landscape character of the area and would set an undesirable precedent for similar development. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Objectives RP 5-22 and GI 14-9 of the Cork County Development Plan 2022 and, as such, would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Having regard to S42(a) of Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) the appropriate period cannot be extended in relation to permission 20/6168 as substantial works have not been carried out.

1. It is considered that the proposed development, when taken in conjunction with existing concentration of one-off housing in the vicinity, would constitute an undesirable excessive concentration of suburban type of development in a rural area. The intensification of such a pattern of development, would militate against the preservation of the rural environment and lead to demands for the uneconomic extension of public facilities to the area, would contribute to the continued incremental erosion of the rural character of the area and would create an undesirable precedent for similar development on adjoining lands. The proposed development would therefore not be in accordance with the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (2005) and Section 5.6.3 of the Cork County Development Plan 2022 and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. It is an objective of the Cork County Development Plan 2022, as set out in Policy Objective RP 5-22, to encourage new dwelling house designs that respect the character, pattern and tradition of existing places, materials and built forms and that fit appropriately into the landscape. This is reinforced by Policy Objective GI 14-9 which highlights landscape as an important factor in all land-use proposals and encourages high standards of design and siting while also striving to protect the visual and scenic amenities of the built and natural environment. Having regard to the pattern and character of development in the area, it is considered that the proposed development, by reason of the open and exposed nature of the site, the limited capacity of the landscape to absorb the development and the works to the roadside boundary to achieve the requisite sightlines, would constitute a highly obtrusive feature on the landscape, which would seriously detract from the visual amenities and character of this area. The proposed development conflicts with Objectives RP 5-22, GI 14-9 and PL 3-5 of the Cork County Development Plan, 2022 and is, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.