Laois farming business refused planning permission amid numerous concerns

An Coimisiún Pleanála has refused an appeal to grant planning permission for the retention of sheds for an existing farming business in Mountmellick.

On behalf of Cormak Engineering, owners Thomas and Noelle Goode applied for planning permission to retain extensions to two rear sheds in addition to retaining the change of use of one of the sheds from domestic to commercial and the partial change of use of the other shed from domestic to commercial.

Cormak Engineering is based in Cloncannon and provides farming equipment as well as welding services.

The application was submitted in May of this year, however they were subsequently refused due to ongoing noise levels at the site and vehicular activity causing disruptions to the surrounding rural area. As well as this, the development was considered more suitable to an urban area.

The development would also contravene a condition attached to an existing permission for development. The two sheds were previously unauthorised and later granted retention permission. One of the conditions to this outlined that the sheds were to be used for domestic purposes only.

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Following its refusal, the applicants argued that no noise assessments were carried out at the site and that efforts would be made to mitigate noise levels such as installing sound barriers. There had been an objection to the development based on noise pollution.

They also said that relocating to an urban area would not be financially viable to a small family-run operation and its current location means they have close proximity to their customers, the local farming community.

Indeed, several farmers from the area wrote to Laois County Council to support the application.

Ultimately, the appeal was refused. Laois County Council's reasons for refusal were upheld by An Coimisiún Pleanála.

The final refusal stated: "It is a requirement of Policy DM RL 2 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 that justification be provided for locating commercial development in this rural area over a settlement where adequate zoning is in place. It is considered that there are no specific locational requirements of the development proposed to be retained that justify or necessitate its location in this rural area.

"Furthermore, having regard to the specific nature of the development proposed to be retained and its proximity to the adjacent residential property, it is considered that the on-going operation of the development proposed to be retained would seriously injure residential amenity by reason of noise and disturbance."

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