Development fees

spupazza

Hi, I have bought a site in a residential area in which I'd like to build a detached house.

I've read some news about development fees being scrapped from April 2023 to April 2024. What I have not quite understood, is if these development fees are different (or additional) from development levies required to connect new homes with roads, water, and other services.

Thanks in advance for your answers.

yurtyaherne

Development contributions are in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area of the planning authority. You're basically paying a contribution towards infrastructure and other facilities. This might not go directly to works carried out in the immediate area of your proposed build but into a central fund that would benefit the whole county.

These contribution rate varies from local authority to local authority.

The current waiver is for all developments that commence between 25 April 2023 and 24 April 2024. A commencement notice would need to be lodged within this timeframe and construction started to avail of the waiver. The development must also be completed by 31 December 2025.

With it taking 12 weeks minimum to get planning permission (without any hiccups), and a minimum notice period for a commencement notice being submitted is 2 weeks before works can start, you would have to submit a planning application by mid-January at the latest and pray there is no further information request or appeals to ABP to avail of this waiver.

Leinster D

Hi all,

Thanks for the creating this thread and the info as I am in a similar situation.

I successfully received planning permission from DLRCC to build a small extension to a 3 bed semi detached home and permission was granted in April 2021. We received the date of commencement for October 2023 and we duly started the works already.

DLRCC are stating that as part of the planning permission, development contributions for conditions 7 (Surface Water), 8 (Transportation) and 9 (Community and Parks) are required and the total invoice I received for these contributions is €4,200.

Seeing as these fees will soon be waived, does anyone know if its possible do the council ever waiver ad-hoc cases on an exceptional basis, given the fees are now being scrapped, so this is more of a timing issue.

Thanks,

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121373203#Comment_121373203

You started works in October 2023 so whats the issue?

Leinster D

I think DLRCC state it still needed as application date predated this new regulation but open to correction here if anyone knows? We received an invoice anyway for the payment of these fees.

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121373423#Comment_121373423

The waiver applies when approved works commence after 25 April 2003 and before 24 April 2024 and is completed before 31 December 2025. I dont see an issue.

muffler

And if you dont believe me and the poster above then see for yourself here

Leinster D

Thank you so much. I will query again with DLRCC because I did initially and they advised the fees still applied. I will take it up with them again. Thanks

newhouse87

Is this available to anybody building a one off house or just developers for councils?

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121425406#Comment_121425406

Do you mean applicable to anyone building a house? If yes then yes is also the answer.

Leinster D

Hi all,

By way of an update on this topic, I did query it with the county council and it looks like a refurbishment and extension of an existing dwelling falls outside the scope of the Temporary Time-Limited Waiver in respect of Development Contributions.

The guidelines for the Temporary waiver in respect of Development Contribution states that “Residential extensions or the refurbishment of existing vacant/derelict properties are not included in the waiver scheme as the measure is intended to help boost the delivery of new housing supply, address cost and viability issues faced by the construction sector, and incentivise the activation of new housing commencements.”

https://www.gov.ie/en/circular/9b113-circular-pl-082023-temporary-time-limited-waiver-in-respect-of-development-contributions-operational-guidance-for-local-authorities/

Regards,

D

selfbuilder22

Has anyone heard of the waiver being extended beyond 25th April?

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121918389#Comment_121918389

nope

wouldnt expect it either

Tivoli1300

yes extended to 2025

muffler

PL02/2024 can be viewed here https://www.gov.ie/en/circular/08374-circular-pl-022024-extension-of-the-temporary-development-contribution-waiver-and-uisce-eireann-water-connection-charge-refund-arrangements/

Vinnyda

BUilding has to start before the 31st of Dec 2024 for the waiver to be applied?

Rocket_GD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122297015#Comment_122297015

Yes that's correct as of now. It could be further extended but for now it's only applies to commenced builds beginning 31/12/24.

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122297015#Comment_122297015

Dont forget the commencement notice will have to lodged prior to that date otherwise no waiver. IW fees will need to be paid and then reclaimed.

Vinnyda

Thank you Gary and muffler for confirming that, hopefully it will be extended into 2025 as it a great saving on the cost of a new build

Nedved85

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122297015#Comment_122297015

Anyone know what the definition of starting the build? Could it be putting up a boundary fence around the site for example?

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122539706#Comment_122539706

Nope, that’s not commencement. You don’t need planning or a commencement notice to put up a fence.

Dancork7

anyone know if this scheme will be extended into 2025? Nothing in the press at all on it so would guess no or it will be dependent on whenever the parties get their act together and form a government!

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123026442#Comment_123026442

Regarding Irish Water / Uisce Eireann this is what I got from my local Council before Xmas but its probably of no help now.

"Temporary Development Contribution Waiver & Uisce Eireann Water Connection charge refund  - Key deadline dates to note

 

Key dates to note in relation to the Temporary Development Contribution Waiver Scheme & Uisce Eireann Water Connection charge refund Scheme

 

• The development works on qualifying residential housing units shall commence between 25th April, 2023 and 31 December 2024.
• Completed application forms under the Development Contribution Waiver for such housing units shall be submitted to the Planning Department for consideration not later than 28 February 2025.
• The date for the completion of development works on qualifying houses under the scheme is 31 December 2026.

 

The water connection charge refund arrangements terminated on 30 September 2024 and requests for refunds of new water services connection charges shall be made to Uisce Éireann not later than 31 December 2024."

NewBuild2025

Surely this will be extended or was it an election stunt? The minister for housing was saying he was going to get rid of it earlier in the year.

sydthebeat

No it wasn't extended for a second time