How to object to a planning application in Ireland
Anyone can object to, or support, a planning application by sending the council a written submission or observation with a fee of €20. It must arrive within 5 weeks of the date the council received the application; a late submission is sent back with the fee.
Finding the application
People applying for permission have to put up a site notice and publish a notice in a local newspaper. Councils prepare weekly lists of new applications, available in their offices and public libraries for at least 8 weeks, and you can view applications on the council's website. All the documents submitted with an application can be seen at the council's offices.
Making the submission
- In writing, to the council that is dealing with the application. You may be able to do this on the council's website.
- Quote the planning reference number if you can.
- Give your name, address and phone number, and your email address if you have one.
- Pay the fee of €20, the amount set in Schedule 10 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001.
- Send it in time: the council cannot decide on an application until it has had it for 5 weeks, so that people can comment, and that is also the deadline for submissions.
The council must acknowledge your submission. Keep the acknowledgement: you need it if you later want to appeal.
What counts
Citizens Information says submissions must be based on planning considerations, not personal likes, dislikes or grievances. It lists, among others:
- national and regional guidelines and ministerial directives;
- the policies and objectives of the development plan and any local plan;
- local matters such as density, parking, traffic hazards, overlooking and the effect on residential amenity;
- public health;
- environmental, amenity and shopping impacts.
Your submission becomes public. Accusations against a person or an organisation could be defamatory, and you could be sued.
After the decision
The council must tell you its decision within 3 days of making it. If your submission was acknowledged, you can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within 4 weeks of the decision date (section 37 of the Planning and Development Act 2000). The fee for a third-party appeal is €220. You also have the right to be told about other appeals lodged on the same application and to receive a copy.
If an appeal has already been lodged by someone else, you can make an observation on it to An Coimisiún Pleanála, for €50, even if you did not comment at the council stage.
For the timetable of a decision, see how long planning takes. For anything else about a particular application, contact the council dealing with it.