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Commenting on a Planning Application

Anyone in Ireland has the right to view and/or make a comment on planning application made to any local authority.

Upon payment of a fee of €20, you also have the right to make a written submission on, or objection to, any application. This must be made within 5 weeks of the date of receipt of the planning application by Waterford City & County Council. Submissions received after the 5 week deadline will not be acceptable under any circumstance and will be returned to the sender.

Applicants for planning permission must put up a site notice and advertise in a local newspaper so members of the public are aware of the planning application. The Planning Department prepares weekly lists of planning applications which are available for inspection in our offices, here on this website and in the local libraries.

All documents submitted with a planning application are available for viewing and the Planning Department cannot make a decision on an application until the submission period of 5 weeks has elapsed.

Submissions or observations must be made in writing, must quote the planning application’s reference number, the name and address of the observer and be accompanied by the appropriate fee of €20. All submissions/objections are also made available for viewing on the public file and Waterford Council’s website.

Please do not send cash through the post.

Submissions/objections should be forwarded to: The Planning Department, Waterford City & County Council, Menapia Building, The Mall, Waterford.

Online Applications


It is now possible to make a planning submission on line.  You must first register on the ePlanning Portal.

All objections are acknowledged in writing and notification of the planning decision is made to all observers within 3 days of the making of a decision. If you made a submission/objection that has been acknowledged by the local authority, you have the right to appeal the subsequent planning decision to An Bord Pleanála. 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.

Submissions can also be made by email to planning@waterfordcouncil.ie  Submissions made in this manner must include the senders full postal address and telephone number. Staff of the planning office will telephone the sender to arrange payment of the €20 fee which must be made before the expiry of the 5 week submission period.

Can I withdraw a submission/objection?


There is no mechanism in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) for the withdrawal of a submission/objection. You may however, make a further addition to your submission/objection, instructing the Planning Authority to disregard your original objection.

Please note that both the original submission and request for withdrawal of the submission will remain on the planning file but will then not be considered by the Planning Authority when making a decision.

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