Pre-Planning Consultation

Local authorities may hold pre planning meetings or consultations if you want information and advice about the planning process before making an application.

Pre-Planning Guidance and Consultation

Before you submit a Planning Application, you may wish to arrange a Pre-Planning Meeting with the assigned Area Planner to discuss your proposal.

All Planning Authorities must provide access to Pre-Application Consultations within a reasonable period of a request being made under the provisions of Section 247 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).

It can be helpful to get the Planning Authority’s advice on aspects of the Development Plan that may influence the decision on the Planning Application. Every Local Authority office and website provides details on how to access this service and the terms and conditions which apply. This service is provided without prejudice to the Planning Authority’s final decision.

You may make arrangements for a Pre-Planning Meeting by completing a Pre-Planning Consultation Form and return this together with a location map and any other relevant details to plaanningdevman@carlowcoco.ie or alternatively by post to:

The Planning Department, Carlow County Council, County Buildings, Athy Road, Carlow. R93 E7R7.

You will be contacted directly to arrange a consultation with the assigned Area Planner.

Carlow County Council offer an Online Pre-Planning Enquiry System. This facility is free of charge and generates a report for your proposed site boundary in Co. Carlow. The resulting information can assist with the preparation of a planning application, along with deciding on whether a Pre-Planning Meeting may be required.

Legal Interest

Pre-Planning Consultations are available only to parties who have a legal interest in the site of the proposed development. If you do not have a legal interest in the proposed site, you must obtain letter of consent from the owner of the lands.

Exempted Development

Pre-Planning Consultations do not provide confirmation that a proposed development is an Exempted Development (i.e., Planning Permission is not required). In order to enquire whether the proposed development is considered and Exempted Development, you are required to submit a Section 5 Application for Declaration on Development and Exempted Development.

Large-scale Residential Developments (LRDs)

The Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021, the Planning and Development (Large-scale Residential Development) Regulations 2021 (SI 716 of 2021) and the Planning and Development (Large-scale Residential Development Fees) Regulations 2021 (SI 720 of 2021) are effective from December 17th 2021.

As such, proposed developments meeting the definition of Large-scale Residential Development (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 LRD Regulations include a form of request to enter into consultation in relation to a proposed LRD i.e., for both the Section 247 and Section 32 meeting.

LRD Pre-Planning Meeting under Section 247(1A) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.

A request for a Pre-Planning Meeting under this section is required to be accompanied by;

• A completed LRD Form

• Any such information that the Planning Authority may reasonably require in relation to a proposed LRD for the purpose of the Section 247 consultation.

LRD Pre Planning (Section 32B of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended)

The Planning Authority requires the prospective applicant to complete the LRD Form to request a Section 32B consultation. In addition, the LRD Form shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee (€1,500) and the information set out under Section 32(B)(2) of the Act.

Completed consultation forms together with a location map and any other required/relevant details should be forwarded to planningdevman@carlowcoco.ie or alternatively by post to:

The Planning Department, Carlow County Council, County Buildings, Athy Road, Carlow. R93 E7R7.

You will be contacted directly to arrange a date to meet the assigned Area Planner.