Duncannon shop refused planning

PLANNING permission has been refused for a shop and two houses near Duncannon.

John Ryan of Parklane Construction has been refused planning permission by An Bord Pleanala for the development at Clonsharragh.

An Inspector’s report from the body notes that the refusal was on three main grounds, namely that the proposed retail development, by reason of its location outside, and remote from, the village centre of Duncannon with no adequate pedestrian or cycling connections would have an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of the existing village centre and would be contrary to objectives set out in the Wexford County Development Plan 2013-2019.

Given the lack of adequate pedestrian and cyclist facilities serving the development, it was considered that the on site parking provided was likely to be inadequate to cater for the parking demand generated by the development. Inspector Maria Fitzgerald said: ‘ The development is also likely to generate significant additional traffic turning movements and there is a lack of adequate loading/unloading and turning areas for heavy goods vehicles. The proposed development would, therefore, give rise to traffic congestion and haphazard parking on the public road and would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard.’

It was also underlined that the proposed development would seriously injure the residential and visual amenities of the area and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Finally having regard to potential issues with the adequacy, function and operation of the existing pumping station serving the development, the board was not satisfied on the basis of the information on file, that there are adequate arrangements on site for the treatment and disposal of wastewater. ‘ The proposed development would, therefore, be prejudicial to public health.’