Want to extend your home and still feeling unsure about whether you should apply for Planning Permission or explore your options without planning, also known as Exempt Development?
Here’s a summary of the benefits and drawbacks of going down the full planning permission route.
The Pros:
Its Comprehensive – There are fewer restrictions on the type and extent of work you can do when applying for planning permission, allowing you to fully explore the potential of your home – attic conversions, garage conversions, larger extensions at ground and first floor level, changes to the front of a property etc. The restrictions that will apply to this type of work are described in your local Development Plan and are designed to protect residential amenity.
It’s Transparent – When you make a planning application, the requirement for a site notice and a newspaper advert means that everyone is informed, and the opportunity to make an observation means everyone can have their say. The planning decision is then made taking everyone’s views and comments into consideration, along with the planning requirements for that location. If you or any other interested party are not happy with the decision, it can be appealed to An Bord Pleanala, for review.
It’s Conclusive – The Planning Application process gives you 2 opportunities to achieve Planning Permission – firstly, through the local planning department and secondly, through An Bord Pleanala. If you achieve a Grant of Permission through this process, it can only be challenged through the courts – an outcome that is very unlikely in a domestic planning application!
The Cons:
It’s Time Consuming – The standard Planning Application process takes a minimum of 12 weeks and can take up to 6 months or longer, depending on whether there are objections or appeals – take a look at How Long Does Planning Permission Take? for more info.
It’s Expensive – There are fees for submitting a Planning Application – more if you want to either make or fight an Appeal – costs for submitting a newspaper advert, buying Ordnance Survey maps and putting up a sign at the front of your property. There is additional work for your Architect in preparing the planning application drawings and documentation, which may increase their fee. And there is no guarantee that your application will be successful, although working with an experienced and competent Architect will greatly improve your chances.
It’s Conclusive – Yes, this is a double-edged one… As above, the Planning Application process gives you 2 opportunities to achieve Planning Permission – firstly, through the local planning department and secondly, through An Bord Pleanala. If you achieve a Grant of Permission through this process, it can only be challenged through the courts – an outcome that is very unlikely in a domestic planning application! If you are refused after going through both these processes, then it’s back to the drawing board..
To weigh up these factors against the option of extending without Planning Permission, take a look at ‘The Pros & Cons of Exempt Development’.
Did you find this article useful? Please leave a comment to let us know your thoughts on the subject and also any other home improvement issues you’d like to know more about.
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