Planning briefs

Shercock house blocked An Bord Pleanála has overturned a decision by Cavan County Council to grant permission for a one and a half storey house at South Taghart, Shercock. Peter Gray was granted permission for the house by the local authority last October. However, that was subsequently appealed to the planning appeals board by Cormac McBreen who had also made a submission on the original planning file. In refusing permission for the house, the board gave one reason - that the development would be prejudicial to public health. "Having regard to the ground conditions on site (which is served by a poor road network) and the evidence of a high water table from the trail hole and 'T' test hole, the board is not satisfied, based on the submissions made in connection with the planning application and the appeal, that the site is suitable for the satisfactory disposal of septic tank effluent, notwithstanding the proposed use of a proprietary wastewater treatment system and raised soil polishing filter. The proposed development would, therefore, be prejudicial to public health." Outline planning permission was granted on the site in July 2006 but this expired in July 2009. Crossdoney house refused The construction of a house at Graddum, Crosserlough, has been scuppered by an appeal to An Bord Pleanála. Cavan County Council had granted planning permission to Noel Smith for the house last September. But this decision has been successfully appealed by the national environmental charity, An Taisce. The objection largely related to the site's alleged unsuitability for development due to high water table, rushy conditions and partial incorporation into plantation belt, and concerns about waste water. There were no objections locally to the plans. Making its decision, An Bord Pleanála concluded that the development would be prejudicial to public health. "Having regard to the ground conditions and the failure of the T test on site, it is considered that... the site cannot be drained satisfactorily by means of a septic tank, notwithstanding the proposed use of a proprietary wastewater treatment system. Furthermore, it is considered that, taken in conjunction with existing and permitted development in the vicinity, the proposed development would result in an excessive concentration of development served by septic tanks in the area," stated the board.