The Planning Process

Planning is about how towns, cities and rural areas develop over time to meet the changing needs of people, the economy and the environment. Planning law in Ireland aims to support proper planning and sustainable development.

The links below explain the three main stages of the planning application process. They include short videos, links to online planning resources, flowcharts and relevant planning leaflets to help guide you through each stage.

The video below gives an overview of the process and introduces the more detailed content on the pages that follow.

Please note that this information applies to a standard planning application. If your application is more complex, you should contact your local planning authority, which is the city or county council responsible for planning decisions in the area where your site is located.

Please note that the information contained within this webpage relates specifically to a standard application for planning permission. For more complex applications we recommend that you seek advice from your local planning authority. Your local planning authority is the city or county council with responsibility for making decisions on planning applications for the area where your site is located.