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Planning Permission – What You Need to Know

If you're planning to build a new home, extend your existing one, or make significant changes to your property, you may need planning permission. While some smaller works—like modest extensions or conservatories—can be exempt, it’s important to confirm this before any building work begins.

At J Floyd Engineering Ltd., we’re here to guide you through the process. We’ll help determine whether your project needs planning permission, assess how it aligns with your local Development Plan, and support you in preparing and submitting your application.

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Types of Planning Permission

There are three types of planning permission in Ireland:

• Permission (Full Permission):
  The most common type. This is for when you're ready to submit a complete and detailed proposal.

• Outline Permission:
  Useful if you want to see whether the planning authority agrees in principle with your proposal (e.g., building on a particular site or a large extension). This requires only basic information about layout and location.
  If approved, you must follow up with a full application to get Permission Consequent on Outline Permission.

• Permission Consequent on Outline Permission:
  This is the second stage of the process, where detailed plans are submitted after outline permission has been granted.

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Legal Reminder

It is a criminal offense to carry out work that requires planning permission without having it in place. The penalties can be severe—including fines and, in rare cases, imprisonment.

That said, mistakes do happen. If work has already been carried out without permission, it’s possible to apply for retention permission. However, be aware that this may be refused—and in that case, the development may need to be removed or reversed.

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How We Can Help

At J Floyd Engineering Ltd., we offer expert planning consultancy tailored to residential projects:

• Advice on whether planning permission is required

• Preparation of drawings, documentation, and forms for planning applications

• Liaison with local planning authorities on your behalf

• Support with planning appeals or retention applications

• Issuing exemption certificates, where applicable

We’ll simplify the process for you—so you can focus on your project with confidence and peace of mind.

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Example Planning Permission Drawing Set

Below is a sample of a granted planning permission drawing package. This is the level of clarity and quality we provide in every submission.

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