Planning refused AGAIN for mobile home cladded in timber as a log cabin in Tipperary

Planning has been refused again for a mobile home cladded in timber as a log cabin in Tipperary.

Sean Meehan made the application to Tipperary County Council seeking "permission for retention" for a mobile home now cladded in timber as to appear as a log cabin as well as two outbuildings and the use of same as domestic storage, septic tank and percolation area, entrance and driveway plus all associated siteworks.

The development address is at Woodinstown, Cahir, Tipperary.

The council again refused permission on October 11 for the retention and attached two conditions.

These "reasons" stated: 

"This proposal is for a residential dwelling in a rural area where housing controls exist (Area under Urban Influence). Policy 5-11 of the Tipperary County Development Plan 2022 allows for consideration to be given to applications for one off residential unit in areas under urban influence subject to the applicant demonstrating an economic or social need to reside in the locality.

"Where an applicant has owned a house in the rural area their rural housing need will generally be deemed to have been met.

"Based on the information presented, the Planning Authority is not satisfied that the applicant has demonstrated a genuine social need to reside in this location.

"The proposal is therefore contrary to a stated policy of the Tipperary County Development Plan (Policy 5-11) and to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

"2. Having regard to the location of the development, the design and nature of the structure, the poor aesthetic value of the structure and the likelihood of it deteriorating over time by virtue of the materials used in its constructionand the prevailing pattern of development of the area, it is considered that the development for which retention permission is sought:

a) would form a haphazard and substandard form of residential

accommodation and generally have poor aesthetic value and can detract

from the overall appearance of the area;

b) would result in a substandard living environment for the residents of the

structure;

c) would fail to accord with the ‘Development and Design Standards’ for

residential structures as set out in Rural Design Guide, of the Tipperary

County Development Plan 2022, by reason of the overall design and

construction of such structure;

d) would injure the amenities and depreciate the value of property in the

vicinity;

e) would set an undesirable precedent for similar type proposals in the

area.

The development for which retention permission is sought would, therefore, be

contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area"

On August 2 of this year, the council also refused the previous permission sought by Mr Meehan. 

That application back then sought permission for retention for "a mobile home (temporary for five years) now cladded in timber as to appear as a log cabin, two outbuildings and the use of same as domestic storage, septic tank and percolation area, entrance and driveway plus all associated siteworks".