The timescale of the Planning decision process is dependent upon the validity of the application and any appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
Planning Permission Timescales
The timescale of the decision process is dependent upon the validity and completeness of the application and the possibility of the local authority decision being subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
There is a time limit of eight weeks from when a valid application is lodged to a decision being given by the planning authority. The planning authority may issue a decision on the application (grant or refuse permission) or they may request further information.
If the Planning Authority requests further information, it has four weeks from the day the further information is received to make a decision on the application (unless the application is accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement, in which case, the time for making a decision is extended to 8 weeks. Any appeal of the decision must be submitted within four weeks of the local authority decision to An Bord Pleanála which has an objective to decide appeals within 18 weeks of receipt.
Timescales
| Stage | Timescale | Action |
| Public Notices | Notice published in newspaper and site notice erected | |
| Receipt of application | 2 weeks | Application must be lodged within 2 weeks of publication of newspaper notice. |
| Validation | 1 – 5 days | Application is validated by the planning authority as soon as possible. Current timescale is within 5 days. |
| Submissions | 5 weeks | Submissions/observations can be submitted within the first 5 weeks of receipt of application. |
| Notice of Decision | 8 weeks | Submissions/objections (submitted in first 5 weeks) are considered. Planning Authority issues notice of its decision on the application within 8 weeks of receipt of application. (Alternatively, it may request further information.) |
| Further Information | 6 months | The Planning Authority may request Further Information or clarification of Further Information which must be responded to within 6 months (this can be extended by 3 months at the discretion of the Planning Authority). |
| Notice of Decision | 4 weeks (8 weeks for EIS) | The Planning Authority issues notice of its decision on the application within 4 weeks of receipt of the Further Information (or 4 weeks from the receipt of the public notices if Further Information is significant). (Time period is extended to 8 weeks in the case of an application accompanied by an EIS). |
| Appeal | 28 days | A decision can be appealed to An Bord Pleanála within 28 days of a decision. |
| Final Grant Minimum | 4 weeks + 3 days | If the decision is not appealed to An Bord Pleanála, then the Planning Authority will issue a final grant of permission. |
