Site breadcrumb trail...
Control of new development and building
The control of development in the County is the responsibility of Galway County Council as the Planning Authority for the area. The Planning Acts provide that permission must be obtained for any development, other than certain development which is exempted. Development is defined as carrying out any works on, in or under land or the making of any material change in the use of any structure or other land. Certain developments are exempted by regulations made under the Acts, e.g. agricultural works, minor construction within certain limits. It is, therefore, the duty of the Council to ensure that planning applications are made for all development in the county that requires permission. In dealing with applications, the planning authority is restricted to considering the proper planning and development of the area and must have regard to the development plan. Developments from which an effluent is discharged may, in addition to planning permission, require a licence from the local authority or Environmental Protection Agency.
The planning authority is obliged to make a decision on a planning application within two months from the date of receipt of the application or within two months from the date of receipt of further information requested by the planning authority to enable it to fully consider the application. If permission is not given within the appropriate period, the applicant may have permission by default. The decision issued may be a decision to grant permission with or without conditions or a decision to refuse. The planning system includes a comprehensive appeals process and under this all planning decisions made by the planning authority may be subjected to independent review by An Bord Pleanála.
