This section lays out what happens when planning permission is granted.
Granting of Planning Permission
Decision to Grant Planning Permission
The decision to grant permission, with or without conditions, will be notified to you and to anyone who commented on the application. You will receive a notice of intention to grant permission. During a period of four weeks, beginning on the date of the making of the decision, you or anyone else who has made a submission or observation on the planning application (and has paid the appropriate fee) may appeal it to An Bórd Pleanála.
Where there is no appeal to An Bord Pleanála, the Planning Authority will formally grant planning permission at the end of the appeal period. You must not commence work until you receive this final notification. If the decision is appealed, you will receive (from An Bórd Pleanála) either a grant of planning permission (with or without whatever conditions considered appropriate), or also a refusal of planning permission.
Where the Planning Authority decides to refuse your application, the reasons will be included in the notification sent to you. The same period of four weeks for appeal will apply.
Planning Conditions
Planning permission may be subject to certain conditions, which will be listed on the decision. These may require changes to your proposal. Examples of such changes are new arrangements for the disposal of surface water; revised height, colour or material for boundary walls; or improved landscaping of the site.
You may also be required to make a contribution to the local authority for services such as Community Facilities and Transport. These contributions differ for different types of development. You must comply with all of the conditions attached to the permission and finish work in accordance with them. Should you have issue with any of the conditions attached to a planning permission you can appeal these to An Bord Pleanála.
Planning Charges
When granting planning permission, a local authority may, as a condition of that planning permission, require the payment of a Development Contribution in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area, and that is provided, or intended to be provided by, or on behalf of, the Local Authority, regardless of other sources of funding for the infrastructure and facilities. Such contributions may be related to works benefiting development in the area of the Planning Authority, rather than just facilitating the proposed development. Contributions may be applicable for Surface Water, Recreation & Amenity, Community Facilities and Transport.
How long does a planning permission last for?
Full Planning Permission
The standard duration of a Full Planning Permission is 5 years from the date of the granting of the permission by the Planning Authority or An Bord Pleanála.
Outline Planning Permission
Where outline permission has been granted, any subsequent application for ‘Permission Consequent on the Grant of Outline Permission’ must be made not later than 3 years beginning on the date of the grant of Outline Permission. The Outline Permission will cease to have effect at the end of the above period unless the subsequent application for Permission Consequent on the Grant of Outline Planning Permission is made within that period.
Permission Consequent on the Grant of Outline Planning Permission
The standard duration of a Permission Consequent on the Grant of Outline Planning Permission is 5 years from the date of the granting of the permission by the Planning Authority or An Bord Pleanála.
Extension of Planning Permission
You can apply to the Planning Authority for an extension of duration of a planning permission within the last year of the planning permission.
Please note that if your development is not substantially complete and includes the requirement for a wastewater treatment system, and if the conditions of said permission refer to any standard that was superseded by the EPA Code of Practice, your application for extension of duration will not be considered favourably. However, should a planning application to upgrade the septic tank/wastewater treatment system in accordance with the EPA Code of Practice be submitted by you and granted by the Planning Authority prior to submitting an application for an extension of duration an extension of duration may be favourably considered.
The Extension of Duration Application Form is available here.
Finally, if planning permission expires and you apply for a new permission for the same development, please note that the Planning Authority may refuse permission or attach significantly different conditions to a planning permission. This can happen if planning policies or the requirements for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area have changed in the interim.
Refusal of Planning Permission
Where the Planning Authority decides to refuse your Planning Application, its reasons will be included in the notification sent to you.
During a period of four weeks, beginning on the date of the making of the decision, you or anyone else who has made a submission or observation on the planning application (and has paid the appropriate fee) may appeal it to An Bórd Pleanála.
