Latest refusal decisions.

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.

1. It is a policy (DM OBJ 50) of the Meath County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 that, All applications for residential extensions in urban and rural areas shal be of High quality design which respects, harmonises and integrates with the existing dwelling in terms of height, scale, materials used, finishes, window proportions, etc; inter alia. It is considered that the proposed development, by reason of its height, scale, massing, form and design, would adversely impact upon the architectural character and setting of the existing dwelling, which is recognised as a structure of architectural merit. The proposal would fail to remain subordinate to the parent structure and would diminish the special character and visual integrity of the building. Accordingly, the proposed development would seriously injure the character of the property and the visua l amenities of the area and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. 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 applicant is proposing extra bedrooms with the development. The applicant has not submitted a site characterisation form that is compliant with the 2021 EPA Code of Practise for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (PE≤10) Therefore, based on the lack of information submitted the applicant has failed to demonstrate that wastewater generated by the proposed development can be treated on site. The proposed development would therefore be prejudicial to public health and safety.

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. The site is located in a rural area outside any designated settlement and in a Strong Rural Area as defined in the Meath County Development Plan 2021- 2027 where development, which is not rurally generated, should be more properly located in a settlement. It is policy of the County Development Plan to restrict housing in these areas to those who are intrinsically part of the rural community and those who have an occupation predominantly based in the rural community. In such areas, policy RD POL 1 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’’. It is considered, based on the information submitted, that the applicant has not provided sufficient details or established a long-standing and consistent rural generated housing need for a dwelling in this location. The local need details submitted do not show the applicant’s continuous connection to the rural area over a significant period of time or in excess of five years and neither has the applicant demonstrated that they are sig nificantly involved in agriculture or the bloodstock industry. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the policy of the Meath County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 and the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for Planning Authorities, would 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 (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”. The proposed dwelling by reason of its size, scale, design and massing would be out of character and fails to integrate with the character of the 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 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.