Planners reject permission for repairs on vacant house in Galway
Efforts to renovate a derelict house in West Connemara have received a major setback with county planners refusing permission to carry out works on the rural dwelling.
The local applicants were seeking permission for the reinstatement of a partially collapsed rear and side elevation of the vacant house at Derrygimlagh, Ballyconneely – but their plans have been unsuccessful.
It was also proposed for the reinstatement of a collapsed roof, including minor internal works as well as all ancillary site works and services in the townland of Derrigimlagh.
In its decision, Galway County Council said that the proposed development had been assessed within the restrictions imposed by the principles of proper planning and sustainable development.
They had regard to the policy objectives of Galway County Council as set out in the 2022 – 2028 County Development Plan.
Based on this assessment it is considered that the proposed development would be contrary to the proper planning policies as set out in the County Development Plan.
They said that they had regard to the existing condition of the property, location, level of mitigation works required, design and scale of the proposed development.
Planners felt that the proposed development was in contravention of as the proposal has not demonstrated the suitability and feasibility of the structure to be redeveloped.
"Accordingly, to grant the development as proposed, would materially contravene a policy objective contained in the current County Development Plan and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” they said.
Based on the information submitted with the planning application, and in the absence of any details in relation to domestic effluent, it is considered by the Planning Authority that the safe disposal of domestic effluent on site cannot be strictly guaranteed.
Accordingly, they stated, to grant the proposed development would be prejudicial to public health, would be contrary to the Practice Wastewater Manual and would seriously endanger the health and safety of persons occupying the structure.
They felt it would also pose an unacceptable risk to surface water, making it contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.