While the Heritage Council does not provide advice on individual planning applications, we can offer general advice to members of the public who wish to engage with the planning process.
Although we welcome planning applications being brought to our attention, it is not possible for the Heritage Council to support another party’s view of an application. Submissions made by the Heritage Council will reflect the views of the Heritage Council.
If you wish to make a submission to a local authority or make an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála we recommend the following:
- Consult the relevant zoning and land use maps in the county/city development plan and/or local area plan to identify what land uses/development may be considered suitable for a specific site/area.
- Consult the relevant chapter of the county development plan to identify the most relevant policies and objectives. For example, natural heritage or biodiversity chapters will have policies for Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for your region, and the National Planning Framework (NPF) may also be relevant.
- Ensure your submission focuses on planning matters. Generally, impacts on natural and cultural heritage is a planning matter.
- Refer to the relevant policies, objectives, and zoning maps when making your submission on the proposal.
- Consult the relevant notices on the planning application to confirm submission deadlines. Standard planning applications have a statutory 5-week timeline from the date the local authority receives the application, while an appeal must be made within 4 weeks of the decision of the local authority. Strategic infrastructure developments have longer timescales.
- Be aware of what is required to make an appeal. This should be detailed on the decision notice that was issued once the application was approved/refused. This is to ensure that your appeal is valid.
All planning applications must comply with the county/city development plan or local area plan of that area. This is why we encourage citizens to contribute to these plans when they are being drafted.
To find out when plans are due to be reviewed and/or how to comment on such plans, please contact your local authority’s forward planning department.