Garden house refused planning permission by Laois planners

Despite the recent relaxing of planning laws on garden houses in light of the housing shortage, Laois County Council has just refused such a home in Portarlington.

An applicant has been turned down for permission to build a house beside their own house, on Spa Street.

Applicant Mark Ward had applied for permission for a detached, single storey 2 bedroom house at Spa View in his side garden, in a similar style to his existing house.

The planners were not happy that it had no parking spaces, and also said the site which shares a boundary with 1 Marion Hill, appeared smaller than indicated on the plans.

“Having regard to the restricted size and configuration of the site, the Planning Authority considers that the proposed development would constitute an overdevelopment and over-intensive use of the site. The proposal would therefore provide an inadequate standard of residential development and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The planners explained that parking spaces are needed.

“The proposed development would provide no on-site car parking, notwithstanding the requirement for two car parking spaces per dwelling under Table 10.3 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021–2027. The applicant has not demonstrated that the required parking can be accommodated within the site or that a departure from the applicable parking standard would be justified having regard to the location and circumstances of the development. The proposal would therefore be materially contrary to Table 10.3 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021–2027 and to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The Laois planners also said the site looks smaller in reality than in the drawings.

“The proposed development would result in an unsatisfactory form of residential development due to the restricted nature of the site and uncertainty regarding the availability of sufficient developable area to accommodate the dwelling as proposed.

“It appears to the Planning Authority that the south-eastern boundary wall extends further into the site than indicated on the submitted drawings, reducing the effective site area available for development. As a result, the Planning Authority is not satisfied that the proposed dwelling can be accommodated on the site in the manner indicated. The proposed development would therefore be seriously injurious to the amenities of the area, materially contrary to Policy DM HS 9 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 and to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”