Mayo couple looking to build family home on their own land refused planning permission
A couple hoping to build a family home on their own farmland have been refused planning permission after Mayo County Council concluded their application did not demonstrate a “permanent housing need” in the area.
Simon and Michelle Dey submitted a planning application in December last year seeking permission to build a house in the rural townland of Lisannaka, Ballyvary.
However, the proposal was refused on the grounds that it contravenes a Rural Housing Objective (RHO) set out in the Mayo County Development Plan 2022–2028.
The site is classified as an “area under urban influence” and, under RHO 1, applicants must demonstrate a clear social or economic link to the area.
An economic link is defined as applicants having a genuine housing need and whose future or current employment is in close proximity to the area where they want to build.
Planners concluded that there had been insufficient information submitted within the application to show that the couple have a “permanent housing need” in the area.
Following the initial application, the couple were asked to provide four pieces of further information, including revised plans to ensure safe access to a trial hole, details of the finished floor and ridge levels, and a longitudinal cross-section of the site.
In response, the couple’s agent, Noel Costello, submitted additional documentation addressing design amendments and site access. The plans were also revised in line with planning advice to reduce certain proportions of the proposed dwelling.
The couple were also asked to provide additional evidence of their social or economic links to the area, a requirement that proved central to the refusal.
In response to the further information request, the submission outlined that Mr Dey was born and raised in Ballyvary, attended the local national school, and has lived in the area all his life.
He also farms the land in Lisannaka that he purchased, and the application states that once their home was built, Mr and Mrs Dey planned to build animal housing and other facilities.
Mr Dey works for the AA with his sign-on point for work located in Ballyvary, and he is also a member of the pastoral council.
The submission further stated that Mrs Dey, who is originally from within 20 minutes of Ballyvary, works for the HSE and needs to live in the area for work. She also plays with the local GAA team and has family living in the area.
It added that the couple's children were born in the area, are registered to attend the local pre-school and the family are involved in local groups.
The submission noted that the couple are “well-established members of the community and want to remain in the area for their support network of family and friends.”
Despite this, the application was refused, with the planner stating that “insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the applicant has a permanent housing need at this location”.
The refusal added that the proposed development would “constitute haphazard development in a rural area” and contravene the county development plan.
The application was raised at the March monthly meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District by Cllr Al McDonnell, who branded the reason for refusal as “ridiculous”.
He called for the decision to be reviewed, adding that it was “outrageous” that a young local family would be refused on such grounds and indicated that the case is likely to be appealed.
Cllr Donna Sheridan also expressed frustration, saying it “drives her mad” to see young couples attempting to build homes in their communities being refused planning permission.
While acknowledging that many planners are “helpful and reasonable”, she said that she “hates to hear of situations” like this one.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.