Appeal over 'excessive' shed at rear of Clare home is dismissed

A LARGE domestic shed which has been partially built on lands in Clonlara may have to be knocked after An Bord Pleánala rejected an appeal seeking permission for its retention.

Clare County Council refused the 'retention' application last year and that decision was subsequently appealed by the applicant Richard Smith.

According to a report prepared by planning inspector Derek Daly, the shed is located on a site in the townland of Lisduff approximately three kilometres to the east of the village.

The 'partially completed shed structure', which has been earmarked to store a boat and garden equipment, is located in the southeastern corner of the site.

"The northern and western boundaries of the site front onto local roads and the remaining boundaries to the south and east open lands. There are a number of single dwellings located in the area with a dwelling approximately 35 metres to the east of the site and another group of dwellings westward of the local road/laneway which defines the appeal site’s western boundary," states Mr Daly.

In his appeal, Mr Smith sought the retention and construction of a shed with a stated floor area of 111.48 square metres.

According to the planning inspector's report, "The structure is partially completed and is a frame type structure 9.14 metres in width and 12.19 metres in depth with an A type low pitch roof with an estimated height to eaves height of approximately 3,500mm and to ridge height of 4,300mm."

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In refusing the original application for retention, Clare County Council planners cited the existing pattern of development in the area; the height, bulk, scale and massing of the shed; the limited screening available to the front of the proposal site and views of the site from the road to the north and west and that the development "would constitute an obtrusive feature in the landscape and be seriously injurious to the visual amenities of the area".

According to documents published by An Bord Pleánala, the main grounds of appeal included that the shed is located in a "secluded rural area" and that it would be finished to a high standard rather than the dishevelled view of the site as present.

Mr Smith indicated that the shed, which is lower in height than the existing house on the same site, would be finished in juniper green or slate grey profile sheeting which would "blend the structure into its surroundings."

The applicant also confirmed his intention to plant additional hedgerow along the boundary of the site and he submitted that there are two sheds on the lane at the western side of the site which are of a greater size and that there are "numerous agricultural and private sheds on the local road which are larger and more visible than the proposed shed".

A number of submissions, opposing the application, were received from other landowners who live in the locality.

In his report, Mr Daly recommended that the decision of Clare County Council should be overturned and that permission be granted for the development.

"Having regard to the nature, scale and design of the proposed development, its location at the rear of the site and not in proximity to the public road network, its location and relationship to existing residential development including the dwelling on the site, it is considered that the proposed development would not seriously injure the visual or residential amenities of the area or the amenities of property in the vicinity of the site," he wrote.

However, at a meeting earlier this month, members of An Bord Pleánala, decided to not accept the recommendation of the planning inspector.

In formally refusing permission, they wrote: "Having regard to the excessive scale, bulk and floorspace of the domestic shed proposed for retention and construction, the Board considered that the development would seriously injure the visual amenities of the rural countryside area and would set an undesirable precedent for similar type developments and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."