wanting to apply for planning permission in Co. Leitrim

CamperMan

Hi,

we would like to apply for planning permission in Co. Leitrim, are there any unusal things we should watch out for, do you have to be working in the area?, do you need to have family ties in the area??, what is the "ribbon development", I have heard this mentioned in the forums, the plot we have is on a small hill, with an old derelict house to one side of our plot and an empty house directly across the road from our site, no other houses for maybe half a mile.

thanks.

Simon

AckwelFoley

Hey.

I dont think that it will be difficult in Co Leitrim to get planning, i think its one of the few counties that its not nearly impossible.

Ribbon development means building houses along the roads radiating from a town..

Ribbon development can also occur along ridge lines, canals and coastlines, the latter especially occurring as people seeking seachange lifestyles build their houses where they can get the best view. The resulting towns and cities are often difficult to service efficiently. Often the first problems noticed by residents is traffic congestion as people compete to move along the narrow urban corridor while ever more people join the ribbon further along the corridor. Urban consolidation is often a solution to encourage growth towards a more compact urban form.

Basically it means, a line of once of housing along roadways, rather than housing estates.

sydthebeat

snyper wrote: »

Hey.

I dont think that it will be difficult in Co Leitrim to get planning, i think its one of the few counties that its not nearly impossible.

Ribbon development means building houses along the roads radiating from a town..

Ribbon development can also occur along ridge lines, canals and coastlines, the latter especially occurring as people seeking seachange lifestyles build their houses where they can get the best view. The resulting towns and cities are often difficult to service efficiently. Often the first problems noticed by residents is traffic congestion as people compete to move along the narrow urban corridor while ever more people join the ribbon further along the corridor. Urban consolidation is often a solution to encourage growth towards a more compact urban form.

Basically it means, a line of once of housing along roadways, rather than housing estates.

ribbon development in most counties has been described as "any dwellling that constitutes the fifth dwelling in any 250m stretch of any roadside boundary......"

In Roscommomcoco it's more than four houses in any 250m stretch of roadside.

I've been told that every new build in Leitrim has to have a porch.

smashey

Moonbaby wrote: »

I've been told that every new build in Leitrim has to have a porch.

Link?

Mellor

em, a little random I think

AckwelFoley

em, a little random I think

What is?

Mellor

the porch comment, no PP would be refused on that basis, even if needed the planners would surely mention it at a PP meeting

People I know came across this when they were building houses in Leitrim.
Planning mumbo jumbo change all the time.
I'm not bothered to go reading through planning conditions to find a link.
If it still applys to you, you'll come across it.

smashey

Moonbaby wrote: »

People I know came across this when they were building houses in Leitrim.
Planning mumbo jumbo change all the time.
I'm not bothered to go reading through planning conditions to find a link.
If it still applys to you, you'll come across it.

Wow, thanks for the effort. :rolleyes:

I know it has applied, I don't need to prove it for myself.
If you do then get off your arse and google instead of whinging!

muffler

Moonbaby wrote: »

I know it has applied, I don't need to prove it for myself.
If you do then get off your arse and google instead of whinging!

You think you know it applies but we sure as hell dont. You made a big sweeping statement and you were asked to provide a link to back it up and what do we get...........nothing except a smart arsed reply. Dont go posting things you cant back up.

Golden rule in every forum is never attack the poster. Enjoy your holiday.

smashey

Moonbaby wrote: »

I know it has applied, I don't need to prove it for myself.
If you do then get off your arse and google instead of whinging!

Now that you mention this, I checked Leitrim Co. Council's website last night and couldn't find anything.

muffler

smashey wrote: »

Now that you mention this, I checked Leitrim Co. Council's website last night and couldn't find anything.

All the more reason for not having people like that around the place.

reilig

CamperMan wrote: »

Hi,

we would like to apply for planning permission in Co. Leitrim, are there any unusal things we should watch out for, do you have to be working in the area?, do you need to have family ties in the area??, what is the "ribbon development", I have heard this mentioned in the forums, the plot we have is on a small hill, with an old derelict house to one side of our plot and an empty house directly across the road from our site, no other houses for maybe half a mile.

thanks.

Simon

Hey Simon,

I got planning permission for my house i Leitrim last October. It wasn't too much problem, but I did have to go back to them with further information.
A few of the things that they like or don't like:

1. Dormor windows are out - Leitrim co co will not allow them in roofs of new builds. The alternative to this is to bring the windows up from the wallplate - its the only thing that they will allow.

2. You WILL have to put in a sewerage treatment plant for your houe if you cannot connect to a main sewer. there is no soil in leitrim capable of passing the percolation test. So it might be best to have the percolaion test done and results submitted with the application - they will only come back to you in the further information looking for these results if you don't.

3. I didn't have a pre-planning meeting, but I did have a good engineer who was able to advise me an my application. If you are looking for the name of a good Architectural / engineering Company in Carrick on Shannon, PM me.

4. You will have to give the council a reason as to why you want to build there as opposed to buying one of the many houses that are vacant in all towns and villages throughout leitrim. Mine was that I own the land and am going to farm it. i also had to get a letter of endorsement from my parents and 3 of my neighbours.

If you have other questions, ask me, I might know or be able to point you in the right direction.

Regards

Daniel

CamperMan

Hi,

I am thinking of going to a pre planning meeting to see if we have a chance of building on the site, has anyone been to a pre planning meeting, is it usefull?, what would you need to take with you?

thanks.

Simon

smashey

They can be very useful.

Take a map (1:2500) of the site and a few sketches of what you wabt to do if you have them. Also, try getting a few photos of any other developments in the vicinity.

muffler

First of all you will have to request such a meeting in writing. You will need to enclose a location map to identify the site and a sketch of the proposed layout of same. You should also enclose a front and side elevation of the type of house you propose to construct - maybe something photocopied from a book would suffice.

You then get an appointment with the planner and he/she will discuss your proposal and will advise you of whatever restraints are in place. The local needs issue and the house design are the 2 main factors. Before the meeting you should read through the part of the development plan for rural housing and be familiar with the requirements. Alternatively you can engage a professional to attend the meeting with you.

Thats about it.

CamperMan

smashey wrote: »

They can be very useful.

Take a map (1:2500) of the site and a few sketches of what you wabt to do if you have them. Also, try getting a few photos of any other developments in the vicinity.

Thanks Smashy,

Simon

CamperMan

Hi,

we requested a pre planning meeting with the council, they wrote today and it seems we don't need to go to a meeting, they basically said so long as we stick with the guidlines, there should not be a problem and asked us to put planning application in. I am surprised about this, as this happened to anyone else before where the planner doens't bother asking you in for a meeting?

Simon

mullyboy

Hi Camperman,

First time poster, so forgive if not on formula.

Got planning after 14 months last year and we are nearly finished the house using a local contractor. Although it was very slow all their comments were fair and I would support being put through the wringer.

A few tips:

1. On www.leitrimcoco.ie website you will find the pdf of the guidelines they use, which is based on producing 'venacular' dwellings - basically keeping it old school! - cottage with small windows. You will also find good guidelines from the Clare and Cork county councils, which give loads of useful points to consider about the type of house you want.
2. Use someone with a record of getting approval in the area you are applying - they will know what the local planner will accept. The cost for this varied from 1k to 5k (2005 quotes) depending on qualifications and neck! Ask around locally.
3. Look at other applications in the parish - the search engine on the coco planning website is magic - see what is holding others up.
4. Its seems very hard for a 'layperson' to meet the planners, but they seemed to have clinics every thursday. There did seem to be a 'pay up front and we will see' attitude, although to be fair they have been swamped until about the last 6 months.
5. You will need to show you have a social reason to build there, as already mentioned there is a huge surplus of houses. It is good to be born or married in and at least bringing something to the community.
6. They will generally want you to do up the origional dwelling rather than build. Other big factors for refusing in area are house design, percolation for septic tank and sightlines at entrance. You can follow all applications and comments online on the website.
7. It has really slowed down up there and the builders are very worried, so hold out for a good price!

Hope that helps. - best of luck.

250882

+1
to the above, but I just wanted to add that leitrim are a very efficient LA and probably one of the most forward thinking. In my experience it can also be advantagous to attempt a modern design, something that the planners may be interrested in.

General consensus from the guidelines are vernacular or modern, but must have good proportions. A good local architect may be able to give you advice on how many stories you could get planning for on your site (single storey, dormer, storey and a half or 2 storey). As of late Leitim coco have just started quoting their design guidelines as a response to a pre-planning request.

CamperMan

got the news today after a long wait and much fu*king about.... the council decided to refuse the application, no idea why until we see the report...

Truth is, when we got the land, house prices were very high and building your own home was the cheaper option, with this downturn, it would be cheaper to buy a house now,,,, so on that note were relieved