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Planning Application Process - Galway City Council
From Galway City Council
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To apply for planning permission you must complete a planning application form and submit it, together with the required documents and the appropriate fee, to the planning department of the local authority to which your application relates.
An application may be made for any of the following:
- Outline Permission (To see whether the planning authority agrees with your proposal in principle)
- Permission consequent on the grant of Outline Permission (If you obtain outline permission, you must obtain full permission before starting work).
- Permission for development
- Permission for retention of development
Applicants should note that Outline Permission cannot be made for any of the following:
- Retention of development.
- Carrying out of works to a Protected Structure or a proposed Protected Structure.
- Development requiring an integrated Pollution Control Licence, Waste Licence or EIS.
- An extension to extend the life of a planning permission cannot be made on outline permission.
The Planning Application Form must be completed in full as incomplete details may render the application invalid.
Applicants should note that a Planning Application must be made within 2 weeks of publication of the newspaper notice relating to the application. The exception to this is where the last day of the 2 weeks is a Saturday, Sunday, public holiday or any other day on which the offices of Galway City Council are closed - in which case the application will be deemed as valid, if received on the next working day.
If you have queries on completing your application you should contact the Planning Department on 091-536599 or by email to planning@galwaycity.ie
Notice of intention to make an application must be published in one of the newspapers approved by Galway City Council within the period of 2 weeks before making the application.
List of Approved Newspapers:
- Galway Advertiser
- Galway City Tribune
- Irish Independent
- Irish Times
- Sunday Independent
- Connacht Tribune
A Site Notice should be erected or fixed on the land or structure within the period of 2 weeks before submitting the planning application.
Applicants should note that if Galway City Council considers that the erection or fixing of a single site notice is insufficient and/or does not adequately inform the public, the authority may require the applicant to erect further notice(s) and submit such evidence as it may specify to comply with requirements
A valid planning application should be accompanied by plans, drawings and maps.
DRAWINGS REQUIRED
Where an application consists mainly of development or retention of development, six copies of site/layout plans, floor plans, elevation and sections that describe the development. Ten copies if the works involve a protected structure.
Where application is mainly for change of use (or retention of change of use), a statement of the existing use and of the proposed use together with particulars of the nature and extent of the proposed use. Any development included in a change of use application must also be accompanied by six copies of drawings, as stated above.
All plans etc. must be in metric scale
(position of site notice shown on all 6/10 copies of the Site Location Map, 1:1000)
Location map scale 1:1000. Site shall be outlined in red and lands in ownership in blue, wayleaves to be outlined in yellow
Position of site notice shown on all 6/10 copies of the Site location Map, 1:1000
Site location map should be original O.S. Map, If copy then Licence No shown on each map.
Site and layout plans must be drawn to scale not less that 1:500 (scale must be stated on drawing) and must show site boundary in red and all roads, buildings and other features on or adjoining the site.
Other plans, elevations and sections to scale not less than 1:200 (scale must be stated on drawing) unless different scale agreed with Galway City Council
Site layout plan to show levels or contours.
Elevation drawings to show main features of adjoining buildings front and rear as applicable
Plans showing reconstruction, alteration or extension to a structure shall be so coloured to distinguish between existing and proposed or they may be shown separately. All room dimensions to be shown in new build or dimensions of a typical apartment type where there are a large no of apartments.
Floor plans, elevations and sections to show in figures the dimensions (including overall height) of any proposed structures. Site / layout plans to show distances of structures to boundaries of site.
Any map based on Ordnance Survey map to state O.S. sheet number
North point to be indicated on all maps & (except elevations and sections)
Plans to indicate name and address of person who prepared them.
An application for any work to a protected structure or any property in an Architectural Conservation area must by accompanied by such photographs, plans or other particulars as are necessary to show how the development would affect the character of the structure.
The mapping required for the submission of a planning application can be obtained online from the Ordinance Survey Ireland (OSi) website or from an Osi mapping agent. For further information please refer to the Osi website www.osi.ie
- What is a certificate of exemption from the housing Strategy
Housing Strategy - Certificate of Exemption
The Housing Strategy adopted by Galway City Council provides for the provision of social and affordable housing. Under the terms of the housing strategy all developments over 9 units or those on over 0.1hectare will have to enter an agreement with the local authority to provide social & affordable housing.
Under the terms of the housing Strategy all developments which are subject to the housing strategy and involve stand alone developments of 9 units or under or those on 0.1 hectares or less will have to apply to the local authority for a certificate of exemption from the Housing Strategy. An application for a Certificate of Exemption should be made before a planning application for permission is submitted.
A cert of exemption from the housing Strategy can be obtained by completing the following application form 'Application form for Certificate of Exemption from the Provisions of Section 96 of the Planning & Development Act 2000, & Section 4 of the Planning & Development (Amendment) Act 2002 .
| Timescale | Action |
| Start | Notice published in newspaper and site notice erected |
| 2 weeks later | Lodge Planning application within 2 weeks of the date of the newspaper notice. |
| Up to 5 weeks from date a planning application is lodged. | Submission or objections can be forwarded in writing on the payment of €20 to the planning authority. |
| Between 5 and 8 weeks | Planning authority issue notice of their decision on the application. (Alternatively, a request for further information may be required). |
| 4 weeks after issue of notice of decision | If no appeal is made, the planning authority will issue grant of permission, or outline permission, except where they have already indicated a decision to refuse. |
Applicants should note that if a request for "Further Information" is not complied with, the planning application shall be deemed as "withdrawn" 6 months after the date of the request for further information was requested.
However, an applicant can apply in writing to the local authority for an additional three months to respond to a request for further information.
Extension of Duration of Planning Permmission
A planning permission has a lifetime of 5 years. Prior to the expiration of the 5 years an applicant can make an application to Extend the duration of Planning permission In the case of an application for Extension of Duration of planning permission, applicants have a maximum of 4 weeks to respond to a request for further information. If the applicant does not respond within the 4 week timeframe, Galway City Council will refuse the application.
Making of Decision:
Once a valid planning application has been received, Galway City Council will allow a 5-week window to enable interested parties to submit observations/submissions in relation to the application. Galway City Council will assess and make a decision on a planning application no later than 8 weeks from the date of receipt of a valid planning application - provided that a request for "Further Information" is not issued.
If a request for further information is required and Galway City Council is satisfied with the response to this request, a decision on the planning application will be issued within 4 weeks from the date of receipt of the response to the further information request.
If the request for further information requires the submission of an Environmental Impact Statement, a decision on the planning application will be issued within 8 weeks from the date of receipt of the response to the further information request.
Note:
When calculating above time periods or any other time limit referred to in said Act or Regulations the period between the 24th day of December and the 1st day of January, both days inclusive, shall be disregarded.
The planning fees have been extracted from the Schedule 9 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 for your assistance, and do not constitute full details of fees applicable to all planning applications.
If you require clarification on the fees listed below you are advised to refer to contact the Planning Section of Galway City Council directly on 091-536599 or by email to planning@galwaycity.ie
| Class | Class of Development | Fee - Euros | Amount of fee for retention Permission. |
| 1 | Provision of dwelling | €65.00 per unit | €195, €2.50 for each square metre of gross floor space for which permission is sought, whichever is greater. |
| 2 | Domestic extension/other improvements | €34.00 per unit | €102, or €2.50 for each square metre of gross floor space for which permission is sought, whichever is greater. |
| 3 | The provision of buildings or other structures for the purposes of agriculture or the keeping of greyhounds. | (I) In the case of buildings, €80 for each building, or €1 for each square metre of gross floor space to be provided in excess of 50 square metres in the case of a building for the keeping of greyhounds or 200 square metres in any other case, whichever is the greater. (ii) in the case of any other structures, €80 for each structure, subject to a maximum of €300 | (I) In the case of buildings, €240 for each building or €3 per sq.m of gross floor space to be provided in excess of 50 square metres in the case of a building for the keeping of greyhounds or 200 square metres in any other case, whichever is the greater, (ii)in the case of any other structures €240 for each structure, subject to a maximum of €900 |
| 4 | Other buildings (i.e. offices, commercial etc.) | €80 for each building or €3.60 per sq.m or part thereof, whichever is the greater. | €240 for each building, or €10.80 for each square metre of gross floor space to be provided, whichever is the greater. |
| 5 | Use of land (intensive agriculture, afforestation peat extraction) | €5 per each hectare of site area. | €15 for each hectare of site area. |
| 6 | Use of land (mining, deposit or waste) | €500, or €50.00 per 0.1 hectare of site area, whichever is the greater | €1,500, or €150 for each 0.1 ha of site area, whichever is the greater. |
| 7 | Use of land (camping, parking, storage) | €80, or €50.00 per 0.1 hectare or part thereof (Min. €80.00) | €240, or €150 for each 0.1 ha of site area, whichever is the greater. |
| 8 | Provision of plant/machinery/tank or other structure for storage purposes | €200, or €50.00 per 0.1 ha. Of site area, whichever is the greater. | €600, or €150 for each 0.1 hectare of site area, whichever is the greater. |
| Petrol filling station (filling station element only) | Min. €200.00 may require extra fee/class of dev | ||
| 9 | Advertising structure | €80, or €20.00 per m² or part thereof whichever is the greater. | €240, or €60 for each square metre, or part thereof, of advertising space to be provided, whichever is the greater. |
| 10 | Electricity transmission/distribution lines, or overhead telecommunications lines | €80, or €50 for each 1,000 metres length, or part thereof, whichever is the greater. | €240, or €150 for each 1,000 metres length, or part thereof, whichever is the greater. |
| 11 | Use of land as golf or pitch & putt course | €50.00 per hectare | €150 for each hectare of site area. |
| 12 | Use of lands as burial grounds | €200.00, or €50.00 for each hectare of site area, whichever is the greater | €600, or €150 for each hectare of site area, whichever is the greater. |
| 13 | Any other development e.g. Flagpole, shopfront, demolition etc., | €80, or €10.00 for each 0.1 ha of site area, whichever is the greater | €240, or €30 for each 0.1ha of site area, whichever is the greater |
Applicants should note:
- Gross floor space is to be taken as the total floor space on each floor measured from inside external walls.
- Maximum fee payable is €38,000 - except where Article 161(approval) applies - max fee in this case is €9,500.
- Minimum fee payable is €34.
- Outline applications ¾ of relevant fee
- Approval applications - ¼ of relevant fee
These are subject to minimum and maximum fee standards.
- The fee payable in respect of an application for retention of any structure or for the continuance of any use will be treble the fee shown subject to a maximum of €125,000.
Where a development proposal would involve the demolition of a house a fee of €80 is payable in addition to appropriate fee.
For a fee of €20, any person or body may make a submission or observation in writing to Galway City Council in relation to a planning application as long as it is submitted within the period of 5 weeks beginning from the date of receipt of the planning application. These submissions/observations will be taken into account by Galway City Council in making its decision on the planning application.
A submission or observation should state:
- Name and address of the person or body making the submission or observation
- Indicate the address to which any correspondence relating to the application should be sent.
- The planning application reference number should be quoted if available
The submission or observation should be sent to:
The Planning Section,
Galway City Council,
City Hall,
College Road,
Galway.
Late Submission or Observation
If a submission or observation is received by Galway City Council after a period of 5 weeks, (beginning on the date of receipt of the planning application), the person or body shall be notified that the submission/observation cannot be considered and Galway City Council will return the submission and fee accordingly.
Submission or Observation made on Invalid Planning Application
If a planning application is deemed invalid, Galway City Council will by notice in writing inform any person or body who has made a valid submission or observation of this fact and the submission/observation and fee will be returned.
A person applying for planning permission and any person who made written submissions/observations to the planning authority on a planning application can appeal a planning decision made by a local authority to An Bord Pleanála.
For example, you can:
- appeal against a refusal to grant you planning permission or conditions attached to your permission or
- appeal against a decision to give someone else planning permission (this is called a third party appeal). In this case you must have made a written submission/observation to the planning authority on the relevant application*.
Note that there are two exceptions to the requirement to have made prior submissions or observations:
3. |1. If a prescribed body was not notified in accordance with law, they may appeal without having made a submission/ observation on the planning application.
4. |2. A person who has an interest in adjoining lands where permission has been granted can apply to the Board for leave to appeal the decision without having made a submission/observation.
If an appeal has already been made by either the applicant and/or a valid third party, any other person can become an "observer" and make submissions or observations.
A valid appellant may request an oral hearing on payment of an additional fee. An Bord Pleanála will normally only grant an oral hearing if the case is particularly complex or significant national or local issues are involved.
An Bord Pleanála aims to make a decision within 18 weeks. If this is not possible, it will inform all the parties of this.
In general, An Bord Pleanála will either:
- grant planning permission
- grant planning permission with conditions, or
- refuse planning permission.
An Bord Pleanála's decision is final and can only be challenged by judicial review in the High Court. This process will judge whether the Board followed due process in reaching its decision and will not include an examination of the planning merits.
Files on appeals received by the Board can be inspected by members of the public after the appeals have been determined by the Board. These files can be inspected, free of charge, at the Board's offices for a period of at least 5 years after the appeal decision.
Further information on An Bord Pleanála's appeals process can be found on An Bord Pleanála's website.
A person applying for planning permission and any person who made written submissions/observations to the planning authority on a planning application can appeal a planning decision made by a local authority to An Bord Pleanála.
For example, you can:
- appeal against a refusal to grant you planning permission or conditions attached to your permission or
- appeal against a decision to give someone else planning permission (this is called a third party appeal). In this case you must have made a written submission/observation to the planning authority on the relevant application*.
Note that there are two exceptions to the requirement to have made prior submissions or observations:
- 1. If a prescribed body was not notified in accordance with law, they may appeal without having made a submission/ observation on the planning application.
- 2. A person who has an interest in adjoining lands where permission has been granted can apply to the Board for leave to appeal the decision without having made a submission/observation.
If an appeal has already been made by either the applicant and/or a valid third party, any other person can become an "observer" and make submissions or observations.
A valid appellant may request an oral hearing on payment of an additional fee. An Bord Pleanála will normally only grant an oral hearing if the case is particularly complex or significant national or local issues are involved.
An Bord Pleanála aims to make a decision within 18 weeks. If this is not possible, it will inform all the parties of this.
In general, An Bord Pleanála will either:
- grant planning permission
- grant planning permission with conditions, or
- refuse planning permission.
An Bord Pleanála's decision is final and can only be challenged by judicial review in the High Court. This process will judge whether the Board followed due process in reaching its decision and will not include an examination of the planning merits.
Files on appeals received by the Board can be inspected by members of the public after the appeals have been determined by the Board. These files can be inspected, free of charge, at the Board's offices for a period of at least 5 years after the appeal decision.
Further information on An Bord Pleanála's appeals process can be found on An Bord Pleanála's website.
Under the Planning & Development (Amendment) Act, 2010, you can apply for a once-off extension to your planning permission for a maximum of five years, provided that you can demonstrate that there were "commercial, economic or technical" considerations which substantially interfered with your ability to start construction works. A planning authority may base its decision on matters such as relevant national and local conditions affecting the property and development market or availability of credit.
A planning authority must be satisfied that:
(i) no significant changes in the development objectives of the development plan/regional planning guidelines has occurred since the permission was granted;
(ii) no new Ministerial Guidelines have issued since the permission was granted which would render the development inconsistent with proper planning and sustainable development of the area; and,
(iii) where a development has not been commenced, that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), or an Appropriate Assessment (AA), or both if required, was or were carried out before the permission was granted.
This provision came into force on 19 August 2010.
In addition, if works had commenced and substanial works had been carried out you may apply to complete the works.
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has published Guidance Notes on what types of "commercial", "economic" and/or "technical" considerations can be taken into account.
Applications to extend the period of your planning permission should be made prior to the expiration of the permission period, (but not earlier than one year in advance of the expiration of the permission period), and must be accompanied by €62.00 fee.
ARTICLE 10(6) OF THE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001
Article 10(6) of The Planning & Development Regulations 2001, allows for notification to the Planning Authority of the intention to avail of exempted development for change of use from vacant commercial to residential use.
Galway City Council is obliged under Article 10(6)(e) to keep a record of notification for 2018 on the Planning authority website.
ARTICLE 6(A) EXEMPTION CHANGE OF USE FROM COMMERCIAL TO RESIDENTIAL
