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How to Apply for Planning Permission

Planning permission is required for any development or building works not considered ‘exempted development’.

What Is Planning?

Planning plays an important role in our society. It enables us to make the best use of our resources and allows necessary and worthwhile development to go ahead. It also ensures that the environment and heritage of our towns, cities and countryside is protected. 

Galway County Council guides the location, amount and type of development in the County by making decisions on planning applications. Everyone has a right to comment on planning matters and to shape the planning and development of their area.

Planning ensures that development happens in the right place at the right time, benefitting communities and the economy. It plays a critical role in identifying what development is needed and where. It helps to decide what areas need to be protected or enhanced and assesses the suitability of proposed development.

When Do You Need Planning Permission?

You need planning permission for any development of land or property unless the development is specifically exempted. Development includes carrying out works (building, demolition, alteration) on, in, over or under land or buildings and making material (i.e. significant) changes to the use of land or buildings. Failure to obtain planning permission where it is required can result in penalties (e.g. significant fines and/ or even imprisonment). 

Exempted development is development for which planning permission is not required. The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, sets out types of development that are exempted. Categories of exempted development are set out in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended. The purpose of exemption is to avoid restrictions on minor developments. 

How to Apply for Planning Permission

To obtain planning permission you must apply to your local planning authority. You can submit a planning application to Galway County Council either online or as a hard copy . 

Online Applications 

The Online Planning portal, which can be accessed at https://planning.localgov.ie/en allows applicants, agents/developers to lodge applications electronically with 24/7 access to the portal.

The online portal is easy to use. You can register your own account, submit documents online with your application, and submit further information at a later stage, if requested. 
You can view previously submitted applications on your dashboard, as well as the status of applications quickly and easily. 
The new system offers improved efficiencies including:

  • Online payment of fees by card
  • Reduced Printing Costs
  • Faster availability of information for the public who can also make a submission/observation on a planning application via the portal. 

You are encouraged to register on the e-planning portal, where an information video and user guide are available at the following link  https://planning.localgov.ie/what-online-planning 

Hard Copy - Submit by Post or Drop it into the Planning Counter 

You can also lodge a hard copy application to the local authority.  Paper-based applications may be lodged either by post or by hand, to Galway County Council, Prospect Hill, Galway, H91 H6KX. 

If your application is incomplete, it will be returned to you as invalid.

Planning Application Forms and Templates

Download the required forms below for your planning application 

 

The Office of the Planning Regulator and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have published a series of planning leaflets which offer guidance on how to make a planning application. For more information visit Planning Leaflets | The Office of the Planning Regulator. 

Timeline for a Planning Application

Generally, a planning authority will deal with a valid planning application within 12 weeks, beginning from the date the application is made, to the date the final grant of planning permission is issued. However, the period can vary, particularly if the planning authority seeks further information from the applicant. The planning authority then has four weeks from the day it receives the reply to the further information request to make a decision on the application.

The following table illustrates the timescale involved in most cases.

Timescale  Action
Start  Notice published in a newspaper and site notice erected.
Not more than two weeks from the public notices  The planning application must be lodged with the planning authority within two weeks of publication of the newspaper notice and erection of the site notice. 
Within five weeks of submitting a valid application  Upon receiving the planning application, the planning authority will acknowledge receipt and check that it is valid. If an application does not contain the required fee, public notices, forms and particulars the planning application will be invalid and returned to the applicant. Members of the public have five weeks from the date of the making of a valid application to make a submission. The planning authority cannot make a decision of the application before the five weeks expires. 
Between five weeks and up to eight weeks of the date of a valid application The planning authority issues notice of its decision on the application. Alternatively, where the planning authority requires certain information to enable it to make a decision it may request it. Where further information is sought, this stops the clock on the date of the requests. The applicant then has six months to respond. If no response is lodged within six months, the application is declared withdrawn. 
Four weeks after issue of notification of a decision When the planning authority issues a notification of decision, a four-week period follows, during which the applicant or a third party can appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála. If no appeal is lodged within the four week period, the planning authority issues a grant of permission, or outline permission, except where they have already indicated a decision to refuse. 

 

How to Appeal a Planning Decision

How to Appeal a Planning Decision

Generally,  you can make an appeal to An Bord Pleanála if;

  1. You made an application to the planning authority for a proposed development.
  2. You made a submission to the planning authority on a proposed development.

Appeals must be made to An Bord Pleanála within four weeks (28 days) beginning on the date when the decision was made by the planning authority. The time limit is strictly adhered to. 

For guidance on how to submit a planning appeal, click the link below to visit the An Bord Pleanála website; 

https://www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/making-a-planning-appeal

Planning Department

Mon-Fri 09:00-16:00

Address

Áras an Chontae
Prospect Hill
Galway

H91 H6KX

Phone numbers

Phone
091 509043