Not exempt — permission neededOtherDecided 1 October 2025

94A, Whitecliff, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, D16 ET22

Section 5 declaration for the continued use of an existing granny flat as a self-contained residence in Rathfarnham.

ED25/0082 · South Dublin County Council · Lodged 4 September 2025

Reference: ED25/0082
Authority: South Dublin County Council
Register status: Decided
Type: Declaration of Exemption Section 5
Received: 4 September 2025

Summary

AI-generated

The application seeks a declaration of exemption for a granny flat that has operated as an independent, self-contained residence for over 32 years. No physical alterations are proposed to the structure.

Othergranny flatsection 5exempted development

Generated from the description above by an AI model and may contain mistakes. The council’s description is the authoritative record.

Official record

Development description

The granny flat has operated as a fully self-contained residence for over 32 years, with its own front and rear entrances, divided garden, independent essential services, dedicated parking and no shared access with the main dwelling. The unit was constructed in full compliance with planning and building regulations and has remained in lawful use since it's completion. Planning permission was granted under decision order p/4409/89 and building by-law approval under order no. Bbl/3630/89. No physical alterations are proposed, and the use does not materially affect the character of the area. The continued use aligns with section 5 of the planning and development act 2000 and the planning and development regulations 2001 (as amended). This application is further supported by legal precedent, including narconon trust v an coimisiún pleanála (2006) iehc 239, which confirms that a change of use without physical works may be exempted development. The continued use also qualifies for immunity under section 160 of the planning and development act 2000, having exceeded the statutory 7-year period without enforcement. We are a retired couple now living in what was a granny flat. The granny flat obtained permission on the basis that once it ceased to be used as a granny flat that it would then become part of the main dwelling. This arrangement aligns with national housing policy objectives promoting flexible living arrangements, efficient use of existing housing stock, and support for aging in place. We no longer have use for the main house as a family home. This application seeks confirmation that the continued independent use of the granny flat constitutes exempted development. It does not involve physical separation or subdivision requiring planning permission. I respectfully request that south dublin county council confirm the exempted development.

Land-use zoning

What this land is zoned for

RESRS

“To protect and/or improve residential amenity”

National zoning type: Existing residential

Objective set by the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028 (2022–2028). The planning authority decides each application on its own merits — this is the zoning context, not a compliance assessment.

Read the zoning objectives in the development plan

Built & sold

What happened next

Beyond the decision: whether this development was built, and what property here has sold for.

Recent sales nearby

within 500 m

Residential Property Price Register sales within 500 metres of this site
Address	Date	Price	Distance
85 Whitecliff, Whitechurch Rd, Rathfarnham Dublin 16	May 2025	€705,000	88 m
207 Whitecliff, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16	Sept 2025	€740,000	108 m
42 Glendoher Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16	May 2025	€710,000	171 m
163 Whitecliff, Whitechurch Road, Rathfarnham	May 2025	€730,000	179 m
St Endas, Sarah Curran Ave, Rathfarnham Dublin 14	Dec 2025	€75,000	189 m
St Endas, Sarah Curran Ave, Rathfarnham Dublin 14	Nov 2025	€1,350,000	189 m
28 Willbrook, Whitechurch Rd, Rathfarnham Dublin 16	Feb 2025	€181,250	222 m
33 Glendoher Dr, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16	Jul 2025	€700,000	248 m

Nearby properties, not this site — a guide to local values.

Sources: Building Control Management System (commencement notices) and the Residential Property Price Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Records are matched to this application by location and may not be exhaustive; always confirm against the official source before relying on them.

Key dates

Timeline

Application received4 September 2025
Decision due1 October 2025
Decision issued1 October 2025

In the area

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