Large-Scale Residential Developments (LRD)

Proposed developments meeting the definition of an LRD (See Section 2 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021) are required to engage in Pre-Planning consultation under Section 247 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and subsequently request a "LRD Meeting" with the Planning Authority under Section 32 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).

The purpose of the Pre-application consultation is to afford any prospective applicants an opportunity to seek advice from the Local Authority on any planning matters that may have a bearing on the decision of the application. Planning Authorities are required to schedule a meeting within 4 weeks from the date of receipt of the Pre-application consultation request. A Pre-application consultation can only be arranged with a person with sufficient legal interest in the land concerned and only with respect to a specific development proposal. There is no fee required for the Pre-application Section 247 consultation.

Requests for Pre-Planning consultation for LRD’s should be made to: majorplanningapplications@galwaycoco.ie

Download the LRD Pre-Application Consultation Request form here; 

LRD Stage 1 Meeting requests including relevant documentation shall be sent to:

Email: majorplanningapplications@galwaycoco.ie

Postal Address:

Planning Department (Major Applications)

Áras an Chontae

Prospect Hill
Galway H91 H6KX

Telephone: (091) 509043

Opening Times: 09.00-16.00 Monday to Friday

After a prospective LRD applicant has completed a Section 247 meeting, they may request an ‘LRD meeting’ with that Local Authority. Following the receipt of LRD consultation request, the Planning Authority is required to facilitate a consultation meeting with the applicant within 4 weeks of the date receipt of such a request. All LRD proposals are required to undertake an ‘LRD meeting’ with the relevant Planning Authority for the purpose of receiving an ‘LRD opinion’ recommending whether “the proposal constitutes a reasonable basis for submitting an LRD planning application” under Section 32(D) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000-2021.

In general, applicants are requested to submit 2 printed hard copies and one digital copy (CD) of the LRD application and must include the prescribed documentation as set out within Section 32(B) of the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021, and the appropriate application fee (€1,500).

Requests for Pre-Planning consultation for LRD’s should be made to: majorplanningapplications@galwaycoco.ie

LRD Stage 2 Meeting requests including relevant documentation shall be sent to:

Email: majorplanningapplications@galwaycoco.ie

Postal Address:

Planning Department (Major Applications)

Áras an Chontae

Prospect Hill
Galway H91 H6KX

Telephone: (091) 509043

Opening Times: 09.00-16.00 Monday to Friday

Following the LRD meeting with a prospective applicant the Planning Authority is required to form an ‘LRD opinion’ within 4 weeks from the date of consultation. This involves considering the documents submitted for the purposes of the ‘LRD meeting’ as to whether the proposal constitutes a reasonable basis to make an LRD planning application. Where the Planning Authority forms the opinion that further consideration and amendment is required, it shall provide advice as to what issues need to be addressed by the prospective applicant in the documents to be submitted with an application. The ‘LRD opinion’ issued by the Local Authority is only valid up to 6 months. 

A prospective LRD applicant is required to fulfil the following requirements prior to making an LRD application:

• Has engaged with the Local Authority under Section 247 and received an LRD opinion (dated within 6 months)
• Application has addressed any issues identified or deficits in information set out within the ‘LRD opinion’
• The applicant is required to make a copy of the LRD application available for public viewing on a dedicated website

LRD Applications are subject to Section 34 timelines, with decisions due 8 weeks from application lodgement unless additional information has been requested. Under this new arrangement, Local Authorities are able to request additional information with respect to an LRD planning application. But this can only be requested once during the application process.

Neither the taking place of an LRD meeting nor the provision of an LRD opinion shall prejudice the performance by the Planning Authority of its functions under the relevant Act or any regulations under such Act or any other enactment and cannot be relied upon in the formal planning process or in legal proceedings.