If you wish to build or extend your house, you will want to know more about how
the planning system works.
Generally, you need planning permission for any development of land or property unless the development is specifically exempted from this need.
If you have already built and wish to regularise your planning then you have to apply for Retention Permission.
There are two types of planning permission.
• Permission (also known as Full planning permission) and
• Outline permission
It is unlikely that you will be applying for outline permission so I will not talk about it here.
Once you have your plans drawn up, you put a notice in the local paper and after that you have 2 weeks in which to lodge the application with the local authority. Once the application has been received by the local authority the public have 5 weeks to make submissions or objections on your plans. The authority will then make a decision on the application and you will be informed no later than 8 weeks after you first sent in your plans. Provided the authority has given permission, then 4 weeks later the Final grant of permission will be given provided there are no appeals to An Bord Pleanala.
Once you have received planning permission, fill in a commencement form obtainable from your local authority and you may start to build.
Generally speaking planning permission lasts for 5 years.
