Galway planning
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Live planning intelligence
Planning pulse
0
received — mostly still in process
weekly volume · last 12 wks
0% granted
342 granted · 66 refused
permission
377 applications
Galway planning authorities have received 521 new planning applications over the last 90 days, with the majority still in process. The most common application types submitted during this period were permission and retention, accounting for 377 and 103 applications respectively. Out of the 408 recently decided applications, 342 were granted and 66 were refused, representing an 84% grant rate.
Notable recent applications
An application has been submitted to renovate and convert the Protected Structure Convent of Mercy and its outer buildings in Loughrea into 51 residential apartments.
An extension of duration is sought to alter an existing septic tank system, install a new wastewater treatment plant, and retain an existing entrance in Creggaun.
Permission is sought to retain a dwelling house, a rear and side patio wall, boundary fencing, a natural stone wall, and the conversion of a domestic garage into an office, tools room, and study in Belclare.
An application has been made to amend previously approved plans by reducing the ridge heights and removing attic roof lights for 22 houses in Oughterard.
A revised design is proposed for a previously granted school house conversion in Clonbur, omitting a side extension and altering the windows and internal layout.
Auto-generated from live planning data. Figures are indicative and for information only — not legal advice. Always confirm details on the official planning register.
House design guide
What this council wants your home to look like
Roof pitches, materials, and forms this council will accept — read from the development plan.
Prior to investing time, energy and money into your development it is essential that you undertake comprehensive research to ensure that you maximise the possibility of your planning application being successful. There are currently 31 Planning Authorities within the Republic of Ireland. Although the planning permission application and regulatory process is uniform throughout, individual Planning Authorities have varying objectives and visions of future developments within their local areas. Whether your development is residential, agricultural, commercial or industrial, the probability of your application being successful will be greatly enhanced if it is in keeping with the objectives of the County Galway Planning Authority.
Planning Permission Ireland has every resource necessary to enable you to navigate your path through County Galway’s planning process. From within our site, you can access guidelines, advice and detailed information specific to your proposed development and location. All frequently requested planning permission guidelines and information can be accessed via our Home Page drop-down menus. E.g. Planning Permission Ireland “Getting Started”, “Application Process”, ”Self Build” “Local Needs”, “Plans & Drawings” etc. In addition, you may utilise Planning Permission Ireland’s AI assisted Chatbot for more specific information with regard to County “Galway Development Plan”, County “Galway Local Area Plans”, “Building Regulations”, “National Planning Framework”, “Regional Spatial & Economic Strategies” etc.
To ensure that proposed planning and developments are in keeping with the economic, social and community needs of specific areas Planning Authorities adhere to a planning hierarchy as set out within Project Ireland 2040 and detailed below:
• National Planning Framework
• Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
• County Galway Development Plan
• County Galway Local Area Plans
Galway’s Planning Authority in deciding on a proposed planning application will be mindful of the overriding objectives of both the National Planning Framework as set out by the Department of Housing Local Government & Heritage and the Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy as set out by Regional Authorities. The Planning Authority will then ensure that your application is in keeping with both the Galway Development Plan in addition to the Local Area Plan specific to the town or village where you propose to construct your development. If your proposed development is located within a rural area of Galway your application will most likely be subjected to a Local Needs Assessment by the Galway Planning Authority.
For example, a planning application to development a 100 unit 5 storey apartment block would have a greater likelihood of being successful in Ballinasloe than on the outskirts of Ahascragh Village. Likewise a Planning Application to develop a one off residential bungalow would be more in keeping with the local area planning objectives of Kilcolgan than that of Tuam Town.
Having carried out research into your proposed development you may find that planning permission is not required as Galway Planning Authority may consider your project to be an Exempted Development. Considerable planning permission exemptions are afforded to agricultural developments in addition to small-scale residential extensions, alterations and renovations.
Prior to commencement (see Commencement Notices for more details) of any works regardless of size, scale or nature of your proposed development it is prudent to seek clarity from Galway Planning Authority with regard to planning permission requirements. Construction, alteration or renovation of lands or structures which require planning permission that has not been applied for and granted may be deemed to be an Unauthorised Development by the Galway Planning Authority and could lead to avoidable protracted and costly Enforcement Proceedings.
In order to avoid the pitfalls of lodging a Planning Application that is unsuitable or not in keeping with the Galway Development Plan or your specific location’s Local Area Plan it is essential that you determine that your proposed development is compatible with the Planning Authority’s objectives. If you feel that your proposed development may not be fully in keeping with Galway’s Development Plan or Local Area Plan objectives it would be wise to schedule a Pre Planning Consultation / Meeting with your local authority. We encourage you to maximise the comprehensive resources which Planning Permission Ireland provides, as we assist you on your journey.
Galway Development Plan
Download your local planning authority’s development plan here.
Volume 1
• Introduction
• Core Strategy, Settlement Strategy and Housing Strategy
• Placemaking, Regeneration and Urban Living
• Rural Living and Development
• Economic Development, Enterprise and Retail Development
• Transport and Movement
• Infrastructure, Utilities and Environmental Protection
• Tourism and Landscape
• Marine and Coastal Management
• Natural Heritage, Biodiversity and Green/Blue Infrastructure
• Community Development and Social Infrastructure
• Architectural, Archaeological and Cultural Heritage
• Gaeltacht and Islands
• Climate Change, Energy and Renewable Resource
• Development Management Standards
Local Area Plans
Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan
• Galway Metropolitan Area
• Baile Chláir
• Bearna
• Oranmore
• Briarhill
• Garraun
• Clifden
• Headford
• Maigh Cuilinn
• Oughterard
• Portumna Small Growth Town
• An Cheathrú Rua
• An Spidéal
• Ballygar
• Dunmore
• Glenamaddy
• Kinvara (Cinn Mhara)
• Moylough
• Renewable Energy Strategy
• Housing Strategy and Housing Demand and Needs Assessment
• Galway County Transport and Planning Study
• Landscape Character Assessment
• Design guidelines for the single rural house
• Protected Structures
• Architectural Conservation Areas
• Geological Heritage of Ireland
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
• Strategic Environmental Assessment Report
• SEA Environmental Report Appendix III - Non-Technical Summary
• SEA Statement
• Consolidated Natura Impact Report
• AA Conclusion Statement with Determination