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Planning
What do we do?
1 Develop medium to long term plans for the County and local areas through consultation with the public. This ensures that
development is planned in accordance with the principles of good planning, sustainability and national guidelines.
2 Make planning decisions based on the above mentioned plans.
3 Investigate and prosecute unauthorised development where necessary and
4 Promote the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of the heritage of County Galway.
Where to find us?
Planning & Sustainable Development Unit,
Ground Floor,
Áras an Chontae,
Prospect Hill, Galway.
There are 2 public counters:
- A General Planning Counter for general queries
- A smaller New Applications Counter for submitting new planning applications
How to Contact us?
- Visit the Planning Counter:
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri: 9.00am - 4.00pm
Wed: 10.00am - 4.00pm - Ring the main planning number 091 509308. You will enter a queuing system and an operator will deal with you as quickly as possible. Phone lines are open from 9.00am - 1.00pm & 2.00pm - 5.00pm.
- Ring the direct contact number if listed with the service
- E mail planning@galwaycoco.ie
- Log onto www.galway.ie/en/Services/Planning/
- Fax at 091 509199
Types of Planning Permission
Outline Permission
This is a type of permission in principle and does not require the submission of detailed drawings.
Permission following Grant of Outline Permission (Permission Consequent)
This application follows the grant of outline permission and must be submitted within 3 years of the grant of outline permission. Detailed plans and drawings of the proposed development are required.
Permission
This application requires detailed plans and full particulars of the proposed development.
Retention Permission
This application is where unauthorised development has occurred.
Pre-Planning Report Service
If you are interested in a particular site you can avail of our free pre-planning report service. You will need to submit to the Planning Office a map with the site in question outlined in red together with the townland name, your contact details and any other relevant details. You will receive back a written report giving you general information about your site.
Pre-Planning Advice Service
We provide planning advice regularly by appointment at Áras an Chontae and Ballinasloe Civic Offices and monthly in the Gaeltacht. You must have applied for and received back in the post your pre-planning report. To make an appointment with a planner phone 091 509308 and quote your pre-planning report reference number.
Ordnance Survey Map Shop
We are licensed to sell ordnance survey maps, digital or otherwise to members of the public. To contact the Map Shop please phone 091 509151.
Ordnance Survey Map Shop
We are licensed to sell ordnance survey maps, digital or otherwise to members of the public. To contact the Map Shop please phone 091509151.
Ordering & Viewing a Planning File
It is open to any person to view a planning file, old or new. New planning applications can be viewed in the planning office from the day of receipt and are scanned onto our website within 2 weeks (see planning query system). Due to storage capacity planning files usually older than 4 months must be ordered in advance to view at the public counter. Phone 091 509308 or e mail
planning@galwaycoco.ie to order a planning file.
Commenting on a Planning Application
It is open to any person to comment on a planning application. Comments should be made in writing within 5 weeks of the planning application being lodged with the Planning Office and there is a small fee payable.
Planning Query System
Planning applications (old & new) are available for inspection on our website. You can zoom to the location that you are interested in or search by Townland or planning application number. To use the planning query system log onto
www.galway.ie/en/Services/Planning/ and click on planning query system on the left of the page.
Appealing a Decision of The Planning Authority
The planning applicant, any person who made a written comment on the planning application or an adjoining landowner (if granted leave to appeal) can appeal a decision if they so wish to An Bord Pleanála within 4 weeks from the date that the Planning Office made the decision. To contact An Bord Pleanála log onto their website at www.pleanala.ie or phone 1890 275 175
(Lo-call) or (01) 858 8100.
Commencement Notice
Once planning permission has been approved you must give at least 14 days notice of intent to start development by completing a commencement notice form available from the planning office.
Planning Seminars
We host an annual Planning Seminar to discuss various aspects of planning and development. To view presentations made at previous seminars log onto www.galway.ie/en/Services/Planning/ or contact the Planning Office on 091 509308 to enquire about any future planning seminars.
Other Planning Services
The following are also available from the planning office:
- Application for a Dispensation from or Relaxation of a Requirement of Building Regulations
- Application for Certificate of Exemption from the Provisions of Section 96 of the Planning & Development Act 2000
- Application for Declaration of Exempted Development under Section 5 of The Planning & Development Act 2000
- Application for Extension or Further Extension of Effective Period of Planning Permission
- Application for Licensing of Signs, Appliances, Structures etc under Section 254 of the Planning & Development Act 2000
- Application for a Fire Safety Certificate under the Building Control Act 1990
- Application to Take in Charge a Housing Development
- Rural Housing Need Form for Each Individual Adult Associated with an Application for Rural Housing
- New Farm House Form
- Questionnaire Regarding Additional Family Dwelling
- Questionnaire Regarding Replacement of Substandard House
- Septic Tank: Site Suitability Assessment Report
- Sample Site Notice
- Required content & details of newspaper notice and
- List of planning fees
For further information in relation to any of the above contact:
Tel: 091 509308
E mail: planning@galwaycoco.ie
Web: www.galway.ie/en/Services/Planning/
Unauthorised Development
Development is unauthorised when either:
- Planning permission is required but has not been obtained or
- Planning permission was granted but the approved plans and/or conditions attached were not adhered to
- It does not comply with all the conditions and limitations to qualify as exempted development
If you wish to report a suspected unauthorised development contact:
Enforcement Section, Planning & Sustainable Development Unit.
Tel: 091 509156 / 509154 / 509160
E mail: planning@galwaycoco.ie
Web: www.galway.ie/en/Services/Planning/
Development Plans
The Galway County Development Plan sets out the overall direction & framework for the proper planning and sustainable
development of the County. The current plan is valid until 2009. The drafting of a new plan started in April 2008 and advertisements will be placed in local newspapers at various stages of the drafting process inviting the public to submit their comments. This new plan will cover the period 2009 - 2015.
Planning legislation also allows the Council to make Local Area Plans for Towns over a certain population.
To have your say on County and Local Planning issues contact:
Forward Planning Section, Planning & Sustainable
Development Unit.
Tel: 091 509121 / 509174
E mail: planning@galwaycoco.ie
Web: www.galway.ie/en/Services/Planning/
Conservation
Our Architectural Conservation Officer assists in the care of the built heritage of County Galway and also provides an advisory service to planning applicants when required.
The following documents are available online at www.galway.ie/en/Services/Conservation/ or phone 091 509197:
Register of Conservation Skills, Architectural Survey & Assessment Best Practice Guide, Official Record of Protected Structures, Architectural Conservation Guidelines, and A Guide to Protected Structures in County Galway.
Conservation Grants
Grants are available for the conservation of protected structures. These are usually advertised in January each year.
To find out more on Conservation contact:
Architectural Conservation Officer, Planning & Sustainable Development Unit.
Tel: 091 509197
E mail: planning@galwaycoco.ie
Web: www.galway.ie/en/Services/Conservation/
Heritage
Our Heritage Officer works to promote interest, education, knowledge, and pride in the heritage of County Galway. The
Heritage Officer also provides an advisory service for planning applicants when required.
Heritage Grants
Community groups may apply for grants for heritage projects which benefit or relate to at least one of the aspects of heritage. Heritage is defined as including: monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage parks and gardens and inland waterways. These grants are usually advertised in January each year.
Heritage Awards
The Council holds an Annual County Heritage Awards Programme in recognition of the positive efforts and contributions of individuals and communities who have promoted heritage in some format throughout the County. Requests for nominations are usually advertised in April / May each year.
Golden Mile of Galway Awards & Calendar
The Golden Mile of Galway Awards is a joint initiative with Galway Rural Development to provide communities with an opportunity to showcase the natural beauty and heritage of their local county roads. A calendar is produced at the end of the year which highlights the rich heritage of the miles selected. Requests for nominations are usually advertised in April / May each year
To find out more on Heritage contact:
Heritage Officer, Planning & Sustainable Development Unit.
Tel: 091 509198
E mail: planning@galwaycoco.ie
Web: www.galway.ie/en/Services/Heritage/
