An Bord Pleanála has upheld a decision to refuse approval for a housing development at Adrahan.
The proposed housing development in question would have involved the demolition of an agricultural building on a site in Adrahan and the construction of 23 houses in its place.
Galway County Council decided to refuse planning permission for the development in April over concerns about the private wastewater treatment system.
The council said that not enough information had been provided about the wastewater treatment system and its long term maintenance to approve it.
Without that information said that it could not be satisfied “that the development would not be prejudicial to public health”.
In lodging an appeal the developer said that this estate would be a beneficial residential in the village centre.
It was also argued that proper management of wastewater was a key consideration throughout the design process.
The appeal said that the wastewater system is compliant with all local and national regulations and that it would be maintained for a minimum of 20 years by Molloy Environmental Systems.
An Bord Pleanála ultimately decided to uphold the county council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the Ardrahan housing estate.
The higher planning authority said that there are severe deficiencies in the public sewerage system in Ardrahan, and that relying on private wastewater systems is poor planning.
The inspector also noted that the housing development is detahced from the main village and “fails to reinforce, strengthen and consolidate the existing urban form or to contribute to sense of place at the village of Ardrahan.”
