Planning Permission - Cork

Pstj2000

Hi All,

We've been looking to buy a house for some time now. Having viewed a number of properties it's very obvious that we could have a much better house for the same money if we were to build, but the problem is we have no idea as to whether we'd have any chance of getting planning permission.

We're looking at somewhere in the country side within handy commuting distance from cork city (< 15 miles). Neither of us are originally from the city or immediate surrounding area but have worked/ rented in the city for the last 5 years. I'm getting conflicting opinions as to whether we'd have any chance.

I rang the planning office (cork) regarding an A3 zoned site but the person I spoke to said we wouldn't have any chance. I subsequently spoke to an architect friend who works on large projects in the greater Dublin area who maintains I need to meet the planner before abandoning the idea as they can be open to enviromentally friendly buildings that work with their surroundings etc...

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's attempted to go down this road, especially in in the cork area but I'll welcome feedback from other areas too.

Thanks in advance
Paul

lainey316

If you can find a site where there has been a dwelling (i.e. now derelict or unrecoverable) you might have a better shot. We got planning for two houses (in Cork) on the promise of knocking the two existing houses 6/7 yrs ago. However one was for our own family. The other could have been sold but wasn't - the permission has lapsed but I'm led to believe can be reactivated, as it's still not adding an additional property, but a replacement property.

Victor

Moved from Accommodation & Property.

YouWantWhat

Go to your local county councillor, he'll have direct access to the chief planning officer and can find out for you what you need to do to get planning permission. The planners only quote chapter and verse, and will only find reasons to refuse you planning permission.

That's Ireland for you!!

BryanF

Pstj2000 wrote: »

Hi All,

We've been looking to buy a house for some time now. Having viewed a number of properties it's very obvious that we could have a much better house for the same money if we were to build, but the problem is we have no idea as to whether we'd have any chance of getting planning permission.

We're looking at somewhere in the country side within handy commuting distance from cork city (< 15 miles). Neither of us are originally from the city or immediate surrounding area but have worked/ rented in the city for the last 5 years. I'm getting conflicting opinions as to whether we'd have any chance.

I rang the planning office (cork) regarding an A3 zoned site but the person I spoke to said we wouldn't have any chance. I subsequently spoke to an architect friend who works on large projects in the greater Dublin area who maintains I need to meet the planner before abandoning the idea as they can be open to enviromentally friendly buildings that work with their surroundings etc...

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's attempted to go down this road, especially in in the cork area but I'll welcome feedback from other areas too.

Thanks in advance
Paul

Paul,
Its all about the zoning. and unfortunately more than 7years living/working locally is required with a valid reason for your building location. the planners are really trying to keep rural Cork rural.. ive had clients that have tried unsuccessfully to build on certain sites they bought on a whim without properly checking their local needs status or other potential development issues, that would have been easily spotted had they taken professional advice early on..
when dealing with auctioneers you need to be clear that you require a plot of land that does not have any zoning restrictions regarding 'local need' etc.. and also request that any purchase arrangement is only completed following receipt of planning permission.

best of luck

YouWantWhat

If I were in your position I would find an area where you would like to live, then do your homework, both on the ground and through the planning office/planning web site, and try and find places that have been abandoned, or sites that have planning permission but construction has not started, due to the present state of the economy. There are loads of places around that people would love to get off their hands, and no doubt you could strike a good deal with them. You would also avoid the whole planning process, architects etc.

lainey316

OP - PM me if you are interested in the west side of the city (beyond Ballincollig)