An Bord Pleanala has refused permission for the development of four dwellings in Virginia following an appeal from Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Kevin McWeeney had previously been granted permission by Cavan County Council on the 19th of June to erect four semi-detached, three-bedroom dwellings at Rampart View, Virginia.
The proposed development would have been connected to the Virginia Wastewater Treatment Plant, which in turn discharges into Lough Ramor.
Inland Fisheries Ireland said the application should be refused or postponed until the planned upgrading of the Virginia Waste Water Treatment Plant has been completed.
The upgrading of the Plant is included in Irish Water's 2020 to 2024 investment plan.
In its ruling, An Bord Plenala said the Plant is "currently operating beyond its design capacity."
It also cited the biological status of Lough Ramor, which has been classed by the Environmental Protection Agency as being of bad ecological status, as a consideration in its ruling.
Lough Ramor links directly to the River Boyne and River Blackwater Special Area of Conservation, and the Board said it can't be satisfied that the proposed development would not be likely to have a significant adverse effect on both sites.
An Bord Plenala has previously refused several applications in the town due to the "inadequacy of Virginia Waste Water Treatment Plant".
In its latest ruling, it said "the existing deficiencies in sewerage facilities would be prejudicial to human health and contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".
