Officer Site Assessment Report

1. The site The site comprises an area of approx. 1 ha adjoining the west side of Cilen Road between the Claddaghs Road and Sully crossroads. On the site stands a dwelling which was constructed in 1976/7, following an approval which was subject to two conditions which are material to the current application - one seeking to retain the dwelling in association with the holding; and the other limiting the occupancy to farmworkers. The first is not a valid condition, and would not now be attached. The second is the subject of this application, which seeks to have the condition removed. 2. Key Issues The key issue is whether there is or is not a continuing need or demand for farmworkers' accommodation in this area. On the one hand, as you will have seen from the report, the land originally attached to this dwelling has, over the course of the last 30 years been sold off or relinquished, although the dwelling itself has been occupied in accordance with the condition until 2005. On the other hand, the dwelling has not been offered for sale or rental with the condition in place. This would be the Dept's usual requirement as a means of demonstrating whether or not there was a local need. We recommend.