Permission refused for new home and stables on 'agricultural' lands in Carlow

Permission has been refused for a new home and horse stables on 'agricultural' lands on the outskirts of Bagnelstown.

Carlow County Council granted conditional permission for the development in July 2022 but that decision was appealed to An Bord Pleánala by the owners of lands which are located nearby.

The proposed development would have included a two-storey home stables and grazing paddocks,

According to planning inspector Angela Brereton, some of the reasons put forward by the third party objectors included that the development, on what is a greenfield site, would be contrary to the agricultural zoning of the site.

Concerns were also expressed about sightlines on the regional road which runs alongside part of the site, the scale of the proposed development, separation distances, overlooking and overshadowing of adjoining property.

The location of the proposed wastewater treatment system and soil polishing filter, odours and the possibility of effluent flowing into their property were also highlighted.

Ms Brereton, in her report, noted the local authority's decision to grant permission was made in the context of the Carlow 
County Development Plan 2015-2021 which has since been superseded by the Carlow County Development Plan 2022-2028.

Under the plan, she said, there is reference  to "limited housing for members of landowners’ families or persons who can demonstrate a genuine need to live in the agriculture zone".

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In recommending that permission be refused, she stated: "It is considered that the stables' use is ancillary to that of the proposed large-scale dwellinghouse and that it has not been demonstrated in the documentation submitted that the applicants, who already reside in the urban area of Bagenalstown have a genuine need to live in the agricultural zone, in accordance with this zoning objective."

Having considered all matters, including Ms Brereton's report, members of the board formally refused permission at a meeting on February 19.