HomeMy WebLinkAbout2660329 - Application - Cover Letter
McMahon McBennett c/o Ciaran McBennett
55-59 Adelaide Street,
Belfast,
BT2 8FE
Monaghan County Council
Planning Section
1 Dublin Street
Monaghan
Co. Monaghan
Project ref.: 26_1552S
Date: 30th July 2026
Client: John McParland
Re: Extension to existing dwelling, Drumharriff, Broomfield, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
The applicant, John McParland, intends to apply for permission for development at this site at Drumharriff,
Broomfield, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan.
The development will consist of the restoration and refurbishment of the existing dwelling and the provision of a
new single storey extension to the rear of the existing dwelling and a new wastewater treatment system and coco
filter together with all associated site development works.
A Chara,
We, McMahon McBennett c/o Ciaran McBennett, are acting as agent for John McParland.
Following preplanning correspondence with Ben Clerkin and Adrian Hughes, it was advised that a number of
points be considered regarding the proposed development, as per the email dated 27th May 2027. We can confirm
that sightlines of 50m can be achieved and that the development will not impact on the proposed works to the
N2, as confirmed by the accompanying correspondence with Róisín Moore.
In response to policy SRP 1-3 of the development plan, it should be noted that the development is not on a
greenfield site, but rather an extension to an existing vernacular dwelling. Although the development is derelict
(as argued by the planning authority), the existing structure’s last use was as a dwelling, for which works should
not be restricted, especially amid a national housing crisis, and new emerging national planning policy to relieve
this housing crisis. It should also be considered that national planning policy encourages the restoration and use
of vernacular structures and dwelling, therefore it should not be discouraged or hindered.
The existing dwelling has stood by this lake for over 100 ye ars (appearing on old maps), and predates the N2
and planning policy SRP 1-3. It is difficult therefore to justify or argue the validity of this structure and its right to
continue being used as a dwelling.
RECEIVED: 30/07/2026
It should also be noted that the development is largely screened by natural topography . Adrian Hughes had
advised councillor Colm Carthy that photomontages would be beneficial to assess how the building impacts on
the view of the lake from key viewpoints. It is evident from these photomontages that the development will not
impact on the view of the lake any further that it currently does, because existing structures onsite and the natural
topography screen the dwelling adequately enough in line with policy SRP 1-3.
Policy SRP 3 specifically refers to single dwelling rather than an extension to an existing dwelling. This
development is an extension to an existing dwelling and furthermore, it a sensitive design with modest scale.
Accompanying documents:
- Newspaper notice
- Site notice
- Letter of agent consent
- Drawings as listed on the drawing issue sheet
- Site location map
- Site assessment report
- Preplanning correspondence with Adrian Hughes
- Preplanning correspondence with Ben Clerkin
- Preplanning correspondence with Róisín Moore regarding N2
Should you have any queries or comments in relation to any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Ciaran McBennett | Director
For and on behalf of McMahon McBennett
+447706053399 (Ciaran McBennett)
+353879970027 (Paul McMahon)
info@mcmahonmcbennett.com
www.mcmahonmcbennett.com RECEIVED: 30/07/2026