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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2660288 - Planners Report1 MONAGHAN COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REPORT File Ref: 26/60288 (Grant Permission) Applicant: James Morrow & Michaela Bonner Development: permission to construct a new Two-storey dwelling and detached domestic garage, along with the upgrade of an existing agricultural entrance, associated piers, proprietary wastewater treatment system, and percolation area, together with all other associated ancillary site works Location: Kilcorran Smithborough Monaghan 1.0 Date of Site Inspection 22/07/2026 1.1 Site Notice & Photos In Order 2 2.0 Site Characteristics/Area • Greenfield subject site with stated area of 0.374Ha. • Site levels rise gently in a west3ern direction • Access into the Local Tertiary Road • Application site has a mature boundary to the roadside and to the western end of the site 3.0 Site Planning History None 4.0 Consultee/Referral Response EHO: Report dated: 28/07/2026 No Objection, Conditions Environment Section: Report dated: 07/08/2026 No Objection, Conditions No other Referrals on Planning Application Control Form 5.0 Objections/Representations Received No objections or representations received. 6.0 Pre-planning Meetings None, as per application form. 7.0 Planning Assessment 7.1 Proposed Development This is an application for Permission • construct a new Two-storey dwelling • detached domestic garage, • upgrade of an existing agricultural entrance, associated piers, • proprietary wastewater treatment system, and percolation area, • together with all other associated ancillary site works 3 Proposed Site Layout Proposed Elevations 4 7.2 Assessment The proposal will be considered against the following policies and objectives contained in the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031; • Section 2.13.2 Category 2 – Remaining Rural Areas • Section 3.15 Rural Housing • Section 6.7 Natura 2000 Sites and Appropriate Assessment (AA) • Section 15.9 Housing in the Rural Area • Section 15.9.1 Rural Character • Section 15.9.2 Site Selection and Design Guidelines • Table 15.3 Guidelines for Siting and Designing a Rural House in the Vernacular Style • Section 15.10.4 Domestic Garages, Sheds, Ancillary Outbuildings and Car Ports • Section 15.22.3 All Rural Accesses • Section 15.22.4 Landscaping and Boundary Treatment • Section 15.22.5 On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems • Section 15.22.6 Water Protection • Section 15.22.7 Surface Water Drainage • Section 15.22.8 Flood Zones and Appropriate Uses • Section 15.23 Road Access Standards Principal of Development • Site is in Category 2 Area so applicant does not have to demonstrate Rural Housing Need • Local Tertiary Road- sight triangle of 50m x 2.4m x 1.05m required as per Section 15.23. • No OPW flood concerns on application site • Not within 100m of third party agricultural buildings • Not Ribbon development Appropriate Assessment (Section 6.2 and Policy HCLP 1 Heritage, Conservation & Landscape Policies) Under Article 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive and Regulation 30 of SI no. 94/1997 “European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations” (1997) any plan or project which has the potential to significantly impact on the integrity of a Natura 2000 site (i.e. an SAC or SPA) must be subject to an Appropriate Assessment. This requirement is also detailed under Section 177(U) of the Planning and Development Acts (2000-2010). Policy HCLP1 of MCDP 2025-2031 states: “No projects giving rise to significant cumulative, direct, indirect or secondary impacts on Natura 2000 sites arising from their size or scale, land take, proximity, resource requirements, emissions (disposal to land, water or air), transportation requirements, duration of construction, operation, decommissioning or from any other effects shall be permitted on the basis of this plan (either individually or in combination with other plans or projects6)”. The subject site is located within 15km of a Natura 2000 site, however, there are no significant watercourses located within close proximity to the site and no known pathway connectors with the Natura 2000 network. The site is also not located within 15km of any Natura 2000 Sites outside County Monaghan either in Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Having regard to cumulative effects of both the proposed development and any other plan or project, it is the opinion of the planning authority that the development is not of a nature or scale to have any significant effects on the integrity of any Natura 2000 sites and therefore a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment is not required in respect of this project. Policy RCP 1 and Section 15.9.1 ‘Rural Character’ Policy RCP 1 provides for dwellings in the countryside where they will not cause a detrimental impact or further erode the rural character of an area. RCP 1 advises that “The assessment of the impact of new dwellings in the rural area will be considered from critical views along public roads, laneways, public rights of way and other areas of the public domain”. 5 • The proposed dwelling is to be back from the roadside by c30.5m. • The site as existing benefits from a mature boundary, with additional planting proposed. • Development proposed is a two-storey dwelling with maximum height of c8.8m. • Dwelling is centrally located within the site, being c38m away from the existing western mature boundary, and c20.6m away from the proposed eastern boundary. • Further information required. Policy RSDP 1 and Section 15.9.2 ‘Site Selection and Design Guidelines’ Table 15.3 of MCDP 2025-2031 sets out the rural house design policy. This requires specific focus on the design, siting, scale and form of the proposed dwelling. The use of simple shapes, forms and materials which are reflective of the Monaghan vernacular ensure a successful design that will integrate best into the countryside. New rural housing, including contemporary designs, should reflect the traditional vernacular. The Monaghan vernacular includes the following elements: • Traditional dwelling with a linear plan form • Returns located to the rear • Roof with full gables and chimneys located along the ridge line • Elevations with a greater proportion of solid than void • Windows with a vertical emphasis • Use of simple materials Tabe 15.3 Features Guidelines for Siting and Designing a Rural House in the Vernacular Style Site Study The site and/or the location of dwelling within the site should be selected to maximise the benefits of shelter, topography and any existing buildings. The site should use clearly identifiable and established boundaries, such as trees, slopes or other natural features, which separate the site from the surrounding countryside, and offer a suitable degree of enclosure. In addition to the roadside boundary, the site should have a minimum of one natural existing boundary to soften the impact of the development in the landscape. The building should not be located on a site where it would break any ridgeline or shoreline. The site should make use of natural contours of the landscape and be set into the landscape. Sites requiring excessive excavation, filling and/or removal of natural vegetation should be avoided. The site should be set back from the road and aim to retain frontage. Suburban type layouts and gardens should be avoided. Application site is a greenfield site, located off the local tertiary road. The wider host field is bounded by existing mature boundaries, with additional planting proposed. Proposed dwelling would not break ridgeline. The FFL of the proposed dwelling and garage is 74.50. Dwelling is centrally located within the site, being c38m away from the existing western mature boundary, and c20.6m away from the proposed eastern boundary. Further information required. Orientation The dwelling should be orientated to maximise daylight and solar gain. Where appropriate, windows on south facing elevations should be arranged to capture the sun’s energy and glazing on north facing elevations should be limited to aid heat conservation. The proposed dwelling is orientated to maximise daylight and solar gain. Scale The size, scale and mass of the building must be appropriate to its setting. 6 Features Guidelines for Siting and Designing a Rural House in the Vernacular Style A large house should only be located on a well screened site to enable effective integration into its surroundings. Larger houses should be sub-divided into smaller elements of traditional form to avoid bulky structures. The dwelling should have regard to the scale of surrounding buildings. Dwelling of an acceptable scale, relative to the size of the site Landscaping plan submitted. Existing boundary hedgerows and trees are to remain. Form The dwelling should be of simple plan form, of modest scale and traditional pitched gables should be used. The external gable depth should generally not exceed 9m or 6.5m for narrow plan form. The roof pitch should normally be 35 to 40-degree pitch except where the gable depth is below 7.5m, then 45 degrees is acceptable. Two storey dwellings should generally not exceed 9m in height above ground level. Any projections or returns should be of simple form and roof pitch. Two-storey dwelling proposed. Frontage proposed at c12.35m with the additional side projection of c4.3m. External gable depth is proposed at c9m. Roof pitch and height is acceptable. Proportions The design should have a good roof to wall proportion and a high solid to void relationship with greater wall surface area than window or door openings. Windows and doors should be simple and of vertical emphasis. A simple, symmetrical arrangement of openings should be employed. Large horizontal windows, picture/feature windows shall be located on elevations not visible from the public domain. High solid to void relationship proposed. Windows of vertical emphasis. The ground floor windows have limited vertical emphasis but provide an overall balance to the design of the dwelling. Materials Materials and finishes should be traditional to the area and in keeping with the character of the landscape unless the material proposed is matching that of the locality. The use of combinations of materials, excessive ornamentation and non-traditional materials should be avoided. Plastered, render or natural stone finishes are suitable in all rural areas. Brick, cladded stone and pebble dash are not traditional finishes and should be avoided. Natural roof slate which is dark blue/black in colour, is preferable. Render finish and natural stone with natural slate roof. Detailing Chimneys should be centrally located on the ridge with vernacular proportions. Chimneys at the gable end should be flush with the gable. Decorative fascias should be avoided. Porches and conservatories should be of simple design and in proportion to the dwelling. Two chimneys proposed centrally on the ridge. Eaves flush with the external walls. Porch area is of simple form. Boundary Treatment New frontage boundaries should be reflective of existing roadside boundaries using compatible hedgerow planting, walls, timber fencing and/or dry stonework. Existing roadside hedgerows and ditches should be retained as much as possible. The location of the site entrance should be positioned to achieve the required sight distance with the removal of a minimum extent of existing hedgerow. Unsympathetic fencing, walls and planting should be avoided. 7 Features Guidelines for Siting and Designing a Rural House in the Vernacular Style All post and rail fencing proposed should be back planted with native hedgerow planting. Existing mature boundaries. Landscaping plan submitted. All existing hedgerows and trees to be retained. Policy DGP 1 and Section 15.10.4 ‘Domestic Garages, Sheds, Ancillary Outbuildings and Car Ports’ Section 15.10.4 of the Development Plan stipulates that domestic garages or ancillary outbuildings ‘should be visually subservient in terms of size, scale and bulk to the main dwelling served and will only be permitted for uses which are ancillary to the main dwelling’. All garage proposals are assessed against criterion (a) to (h) of Policy DGP 1 as set out below. Domestic Garages, Sheds, Ancillary Outbuildings and Car Ports Policy DGP 1 a) The design, size, scale and form of the building/structure and finishes/materials should normally be consistent with the design of the main dwelling on site. • The proposed garage is demarcated on the proposed site layout plan. • Floor plans and elevational drawings have been provided. • The design, form and materials are acceptable and in keeping with the main dwelling. a) The building/structure is normally detached and sited to the side or rear of the house to minimise visual impact from the public road or surrounding landscape. • Proposed garage is to be sited to the side of the proposed dwelling. b) The building/structure is used for purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling and not for any commercial, manufacturing, industrial use or as habitable accommodation. • Structure is to be used for purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling c) Where the total floor area of the building/structure is in excess of 80m2, satisfactory justification shall be provided for its size. • The proposed detached domestic garage is to be c54sqm on the ground floor with c33m on the first floor, giving a total of c87sqm. • Further information required. d) Car ports shall only be permitted where they are incorporated into the design of the dwelling, do not constitute a visual intrusion, and where they are not visible from the public domain. • Car port is not proposed e) The residential amenity in the vicinity of the proposed development will not be compromised. • No residential amenity concerns f) Only one domestic garage shall be permitted for any single dwelling unless the need for a second garage is satisfactorily demonstrated. • One domestic garage proposed. g) Existing surface water drainage is maintained or relocated satisfactorily. • Appropriate drainage being provided as part of the development. Policy RRP 1 and Section 15.22.3 ‘All Rural Accesses’ and Section 15.23 ‘Road Access Standards’ Policy RRP 1 requires accesses to new developments in the countryside to be positioned to minimise loss of hedgerows and trees, follow alongside existing boundaries/ hedgerows where possible, follow the natural contours of the site 8 and avoid sweeping driveways, and to use existing lanes where practical. Section 15.23 and Table 15.4 of MCDP 2025- 2031 requires all new accesses to be designed well in the interest of safety and convenience of all road users. • The applicant is proposing to exit onto the Local Tertiary Road. • The submitted site layout plan indicates that the required visibility splays of 50m can be achieved at the junction with the public road, without crossing over third-party land. • Planning Authority satisfied in this regard. Policy WWTP 1 On-Site Wastewater Treatment Policy and Section 15.22.5 ‘On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems’ The proposal includes a new proprietary wastewater treatment system, and percolation area, as annotated on the proposed site layout plan. The applicant also submitted a “Site Characterisation Form” prepared by Mr Michael Holohan of Biolabs, dated 04/06/2026. • EHO Report dated 28/07/2026 sates no objection subject to conditions. • Planning Authority satisfied in this regard. Policy WPP1 and Section 15.22.6 ‘Water Protection’ Section 15.22.6 advises that development proposals shall “not be permitted within 200 metres of any lake, that is the source of a water supply, where any part of that development has the potential to pollute the lake”. • The application site is within the vicinity of Kilcorran Lough, which is a lake water supply source for Aughnashalvey GW. • In this case, the site, including the proposed dwelling, garage, wastewater treatment system and road access are c230m away from the edge of the lake. • Planning Authority satisfied in this regard. Development Contribution A Community, Recreation and Amenity Facilities Development Contribution is calculated as per separately attached sheet. New floor area (house): c210sqm New floor area (garage: c87sqm Conclusion Further Information in relation to: • Position of Dwelling • Floor Area of Garage 9 Recommendation It is recommended that FURTHER INFORMATION be requested as follows: 1. Section 15.9.1 ‘Rural Character’ and Policy RCP 1 of Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 provides for dwellings in the countryside where they will not cause a detrimental impact or further erode the rural character of an area. RCP 1 advises that “The assessment of the impact of new dwellings in the rural area will be considered from critical views along public roads, laneways, public rights of way and other areas of the public domain”. The Planning Authority has concerns with the proposed central position of the dwelling within the site, being c38m away from the existing western mature boundary, and c20.6m away from the proposed eastern boundary. In this regard, the applicant is requested to re-position the proposed dwelling to be anchored to an existing mature boundary (at a distance of c10m). 2. Policy DGP 1 and Section 15.10.4 ‘Domestic Garages, Sheds, Ancillary Outbuildings and Car Ports’ of Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 advises that where the total floor area of the building/structure is in excess of 80m2, satisfactory justification shall be provided for its size. The Planning Authority has concerns that the proposed detached domestic garage is to be c54sqm on the ground floor with c33m on the first floor, giving a total of c87sqm and no justification has been provided. In this regard, the applicant is requested to submit revised details to ensure that the proposal fully complies with Section 15.10.4 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. _________________ Catherine Toner Assistant Planner Date 24/08/2026 10 Further Information Assessment FI was requested and a response was submitted on 06/09/2026. The FI request was as follows: 1. Section 15.9.1 ‘Rural Character’ and Policy RCP 1 of Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 provides for dwellings in the countryside where they will not cause a detrimental impact or further erode the rural character of an area. RCP 1 advises that “The assessment of the impact of new dwellings in the rural area will be considered from critical views along public roads, laneways, public rights of way and other areas of the public domain”. The Planning Authority has concerns with the proposed central position of the dwelling within the site, being c38m away from the existing western mature boundary, and c20.6m away from the proposed eastern boundary. In this regard, the applicant is requested to re-position the proposed dwelling to be anchored to an existing mature boundary (at a distance of c10m). • The applicant has submitted a revised site layout plan with the position of the dwelling altered to be within c11.25m of the existing mature boundary to the northern end of the site. • Planning Authority satisfied in this regard. 2. Policy DGP 1 and Section 15.10.4 ‘Domestic Garages, Sheds, Ancillary Outbuildings and Car Ports’ of Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 advises that where the total floor area of the building/structure is in excess of 80m2, satisfactory justification shall be provided for its size. The Planning Authority has concerns that the proposed detached domestic garage is to be c54sqm on the ground floor with c33m on the first floor, giving a total of c87sqm and no justification has been provided. In this regard, the applicant is requested to submit revised details to ensure that the proposal fully complies with Section 15.10.4 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. • The applicant has submitted revised plans with the total floor area of the garage reduced to c71sqm. • Planning Authority satisfied in this regard. 11 Development Contribution A Community, Recreation and Amenity Facilities Development Contribution is calculated as per separately attached sheet. New floor area (house): c210sqm New floor area (garage: c71sqm Conclusion The proposed development complies with all relevant provisions of Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. A Grant of Permission is recommended subject to Conditions. Recommendation Main Reasons and Considerations Having regard to • the nature and scale of the proposed development • the established pattern of development in the area • the provisions of the current Monaghan County Development Plan it is considered that the proposed development, • would not seriously injure the amenities of the area • would not injure public safety by reason of traffic hazard • would not injure the amenity of property in the vicinity • would not endanger public health and subject to compliance with the conditions set out below it is considered that the proposed development accords with both the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Recommendation It is recommended that Permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions: 1. a) The developer shall pay to Monaghan County Council a sum of €2,647.00 in accordance with the General Development Contribution Scheme 2021-2026, made by the Council under Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), towards expenditure incurred or proposed to be incurred by the Council in the provision of community, recreation and amenity public infrastructure and facilities in the area. b) The sum attached to this condition shall be revised from the date of the grant of planning permission to the value pertaining at the time of payment in accordance with the Wholesale Price Index for Building and Construction (Materials and Wages). c) No works shall commence until payment of the development contribution is made in full, or until Monaghan County Council has agreed in writing to a schedule of phased payments of the sum. Reason: It is considered appropriate that the developer should contribute towards the expenditure incurred or proposed to be incurred by the Council in the provision of community, recreation and amenity infrastructure and facilities in the area. 2. a) Prior to any other works commencing, visibility splays of 50m, measured to the nearside road edge in each direction, shall be provided from a point in the centre of the entrance of the lane, 2.4m from the road edge at a height of between 1.05m and 2m above ground level to an object height of between 1.05m and 2m above ground level in both directions. The visibility splays shall be retained and kept clear from obstructions thereafter. 12 b) Where it is necessary to remove hedges, fences, embankments or other obstructions in order to achieve the required visibility splays, they shall be reinstated behind the visibility splays. Any new trees or shrubs shall be planted back from the visibility splays to allow for future growth and some species will require additional set back. All existing planting shall be kept trimmed behind visibility splays. c) Where the existing roadside hedge/embankment is to be removed, the roadside verge shall be widened (by grading back or infilling where necessary using appropriate inert material) to include the entire area within the visibility splays, top soiled, and grassed to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority. d) The new entrance shall form a bellmouth of 5m radius with edge of new boundary. Recessed entrance shall be of sufficient dimensions to contain a stationary vehicle off the public road. Entrance gates shall open inwards only. e) Entrance/access road shall be surfaced with concrete or bitmac from edge of public road for a minimum of 5m and the surface shall be graded back so that its level at 3m from the edge of the carriageway is a minimum of 100mm below road level. Gradient of access road shall be not greater than 1:20 (5%) for the first 5m from boundary and 1:10 (10%) thereafter. f) Cattlegrid/ACO Drain/gullies shall be installed at proposed entrance and constructed in such a manner as to prevent water from the entrance flowing onto the public road. Similarly, measures shall be taken to prevent road surface water from flowing onto the entrance. The discharge from the above drainage shall be piped to an appropriate drainage pipeline or watercourse. g) Provision shall be made within the site for surface water drainage, and no surface water shall be allowed flow onto the public roadway. The discharge of surface water from the public road onto the site through road surface drainage and road subsoil drainage shall remain unimpeded. h) No development exempt or otherwise shall be erected over the public sewer, drain or water-main, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Planning Authority. i) Before any work is commenced on this development a security, by way of a cash deposit, in the sum of €2250, shall be paid to the Planning Authority by the developer to ensure the satisfactory completion of all surface water drainage/boundary work within and abutting the site area, to prevent runoff of surface water onto the public roadway and to ensure that no damage is caused to public roadway and any such damage is repaired satisfactorily. Failure to carry out all entrance works to a standard to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority will result in forfeiture of part or all of the cash security Reason: In the interest of traffic/road safety. 3. a) The proposed effluent treatment and disposal system shall be located, constructed and maintained in accordance with the details submitted to the planning authority on the 08/07/2026 and in accordance with the requirements of the document entitled The Environmental Protection Agency Code of Practice Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Population Equivalent <= 10) 2021. No system other than the type proposed in the application shall be installed without the prior written agreement of the Planning Authority. b) A maintenance contract for the effluent treatment and disposal system shall be entered into from the first date of occupancy of the dwelling and permanently maintained thereafter. Signed and dated copies of the contract, which shall be for a minimum period of 3 years, shall be submitted to, and agreed in writing with the planning authority within 2 months of the installation. c) Surface water soakaways shall be located such that the drainage from the dwelling and paved areas of the site shall be diverted away from the location of the polishing filter. d) Within two months of the first occupation of the dwelling, the developer shall submit a report from a suitably qualified person with professional indemnity insurance certifying that the proposed effluent treatment and disposal system has been installed and commissioned in accordance with the approved details and is working in a satisfactory manner and that the polishing filter is constructed in accordance with the standards set out in the EPA document. e) A French interceptor drain to be placed on the upper side of the proposed on site DWWTS so as to prevent surface water from entering this area. f) Proposed well to be located a minimum of 30m upgradient of proposed DWWTS. Reason: In the interest of public health and environmental protection. 13 4. a) Existing mature trees and hedgerow defining the site boundaries shall be permanently retained in this development. They shall also be reinforced with additional planting as per the submitted landscaping plan and protected from damage at all times, particularly during building operations. b) Notwithstanding the submitted landscaping plan, the new site boundaries shall be planted with native hedgerow species so as to form naturalised hedgerows similar to existing hedgerows in the vicinity. Predominant species shall be whitethorn, with blackthorn, hazel and holly also included. Planting shall be in a double staggered row with 8 (eight) 2-3 year old plants per metre; 250mm apart, with 300mm between rows. c) Hedgerow planting, as required, shall be supplemented as per the submitted landscaping plan with native tree species at irregular intervals. Species shall include ash, oak, sycamore and beech. d) Planting as required shall be carried out in the first planting season following commencement of building operations and shall be permanently retained thereafter. Any plant which fails in the first planting season shall be replaced. Trees shall be allowed to mature and shall not be topped when trimming hedgerows. e) Any boundary fencing shall be of stained wood. Reason: In the interest of visual amenity. 5. The garage hereby approved shall be used solely for purposes ancillary to the residential dwelling within the site area, and not for any separate purposes. Reason: In the interest of orderly development. 6. A maximum of two external wall finishes shall be utilised. Reason: In the interest of visual amenity. 7. a) Ground levels and finished floor levels shall be as detailed on plans submitted to Planning Authority on 08/07/2026, as amended by additional information on 06/09/2026. b) Any facilitating cut and/or fill shall be graded to a natural contour to reflect the existing topography of the area. Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and securing a satisfactory standard of development. 8. The development shall be carried out in accordance with plans and documentation submitted to the Planning Authority on 08/07/2026, as amended by additional information on 06/09/2026, except as may otherwise be required in order to comply with the above conditions. Reason: To ensure a satisfactory standard of development. _________________ Catherine Toner Assistant Planner Date 10/09/2026 14 Monaghan County Council Development Contributions Calculations Category Dev Type Rate Number / Units Floor Area / Calculation Contributions Due (€) 3 Community Recreation, Amenity (a) Residential development outside defined settlements (Tier 5 and 6 settlements included) Up to 200m² (2152 sq ft) €1,270 per unit up to 200m² 200m² - 300m² (2152 - 3229 sq ft) €1,270 per unit plus €17/m² between 200m² and 300m² Over 300m² (3229 sq ft) €4,160 per unit plus €22/m² greater than 300m² New floor area (house): c210sqm New floor area (garage): c71sqm =281sqm 281sqm €1,270 + €17 x 81sqm = €2,647 €2,647 Contributions Due (€) €2,647 Exemptions / Reductions under Part 18 of Development Contribution Scheme (if applicable) Category (a) – (m) Dev Type % Reduction Calculations Exemption / Reduction (€) Total Amount Due Contributions Due – Discount Total Due (€) €2,647 Checked / Date AP / EP AO SEP 10/09/2026 SF 10/09/2026