An Coimisiún Pleanála refuses retention of Tipperary log cabin
The Commission said the principle issue related to wastewater treatment and disposal at the site
A mixed ruling has been issued by An Coimisiún Pleanála after an appeal involving a temporary log cabin, a farm building and an extension to a home near Clonmel.
Gerard Purcell Jnr applied to Tipperary County Council for permission for an agricultural shed for general farm storage, alterations and an extension to his dwelling house, demolition works, and retention of a temporary log cabin at Kilmore, Lisronagh.
The council granted permission for the agricultural shed, farmyards, house extension and demolition works, but refused permission for retention of the log cabin. The refusal was based on wastewater treatment concerns.
The council said the proposal was not in accordance with the EPA Code of Practice for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems 2021 and conflicted with policy in the Tipperary County Development Plan 2022-2028.
Following the council’s decision, Mr Purcell appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The case was subsequently considered by An Coimisiún Pleanála, which ultimately agreed with the council’s assessment and upheld a decision to refuse permission for the retention of an existing temporary log cabin.
In its decision, the Commission said the principal issue related to wastewater treatment and disposal at the site. It noted that the property is located within an unserviced rural area with no connection to a public sewer network and where groundwater is considered highly vulnerable to contamination.
The Commission stated that it was “not satisfied, on the basis of the information provided in connection with the planning application and the appeal, that wastewater arising from the log cabin proposed to be retained can be appropriately disposed of on site.”
It further highlighted that the site lies within “an unserviced rural area of extreme groundwater vulnerability” and found that the proposal would contravene Policy 15-2 of the Tipperary County Development Plan 2022–2028.
That policy requires all septic tanks, proprietary effluent treatment systems and percolation areas to be designed, sited and constructed in accordance with national planning guidelines and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Code of Practice for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems.
According to the decision, the information submitted did not sufficiently demonstrate that wastewater from the development could be treated and disposed of in a manner that would protect groundwater quality and comply with planning and environmental standards.
The Commission concluded that permitting retention of the structure without satisfactory wastewater arrangements would be “prejudicial to public health, and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.
The decision was signed on June 3, 2026.