Comment on a Planning Permission Application
Anyone in Ireland has the right to see a planning application made to a local authority. On payment of a fee, you also have the right to make a written submission or observation on the application. The submission or observation must be made within 5 weeks of the date of receipt of the planning application (by the local authority).
Applicants for planning permission must put up a site notice and advertise in a local newspaper so you may find out about an application that way.
You are entitled to see all the documents submitted with a planning application, which will be kept at the offices of your local authority. Planning authorities cannot rule on an application until 5 weeks have elapsed from the date of its receipt.
Your comments must be in writing to your local authority. If possible, you should quote the planning application's reference number. You must quote your name and address and postal address (if different).
Your submission/observation will be acknowledged by the local authority and you must be notified of the planning decision. The fee in respect of a submission/observation is 20 euro.
Rules
Your comments must be based on planning considerations, not on personal likes, dislikes or grievances. These planning considerations include:
- National and regional guidelines and ministerial directives
- Policies and objectives of the development plan
- Policies and objectives of any local plan. A local plan shall be consistent with the objectives of the Development Plan (see Publications Section) and shall consist of a written statement and a plan or plans indicating the objectives for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area to which it applies. It can include detail on community facilities and amenities and on standards of design in developments and structures.
- Local considerations such as site development density, parking provision, traffic hazards, overlooking, effects on residential amenity, etc.
- Public health
- Environmental, amenity and shopping impacts
- Other material planning matters.
Anyone who has made written submissions/observations and paid the necessary fee will be informed of the decision by the local authority within 3 days of making the decision.
If you made a submission/observation that has been acknowledged by the local authority, you have the right to appeal its planning decision to An Bord Pleanála - see www.pleanala.ie. You also have the right to be informed of any other appeals that have been lodged to An Bord Pleanála and to receive a copy of the appeal.
Fee
The fee for making a submission/observation on a planning application in Ireland is 20 euro.
Where to apply
If you are interested in commenting on a planning application, the Planning Department of your local authority can advise you on the format for making a submission and how your observations should be submitted. Your completed submission/observation should be addressed to the Chief Officer of the Planning Department of your local authority
You may also be interested in reading a leaflet below from the Department of the Envrionment, Heritage and Local Government entitled Commenting on a Planning Application.
Comment on a Planning Permission Application (Leaflet PL3) pdf, 217kb
