Planning permit query

monseiur

My uncle who is currently living in London got planning permission to build a new house over 4 years ago (it's to be his retirement home). Due to health reasons no work has been done on site to date. This permission is due to expire next March so basically he wants to find what is the minimum amount of work must be carried out on site before the end of March to keep the planning office happy.

If an access road is made to site and site is cleared of top soil and back filled with crushed stone, clause 804 etc. ready for raft foundation will this be OK or will he have to have raft foundations in and some wall built ?

Thanks.

elperello

He can apply for an extension of the planning permission granted.

This is for Laois but same applies in other counties.

Planning Permission Extension of Duration | Laois County Council https://share.google/ArZ41ihfYMMAMQJ3I

coolbeans

Wot Barney said above.

thomas 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058428896/planning-permit-query

I believe walls have to be rising - not sure! The good news is getting to that stage is usually the least expensive part of the house!

Bass Reeves

My Understanding is house has to be at wallpaper level. He be up against it. I.imagine if he has blocks up 5-6 feet he should be.ok

coolbeans

Regs have changed recently. No need to have commenced as of 2025. Apply to the Council for an Extension of duration. It's painless really.

DOCARCH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124016368#Comment_124016368

Has actually changed the the other way! It has to have been started and/or substantially complete prior to council considering an application for extension of duration (EOD). If works have not started/are not substantially complete (and EOD not applied for/granted) then the planning permission expires.

coolbeans

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124016410#Comment_124016410

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/press-releases/commencement-of-planning-and-development-amendment-act-2025-to-maximise-potential-of-existing-planning-permissions/

See above. No need to have commenced.

Bass Reeves

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124016664#Comment_124016664

That is more to do with development site's with multiple units not one off houses

coolbeans

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124017326#Comment_124017326

Still applies though.

DOCARCH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124016664#Comment_124016664

OK, but, it is for housing development. Would have to find the definition of 'housing development'? My suspicion is it may be 2 or more houses.

Bass Reeves

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124017361#Comment_124017361

I be dubious. However because of building costs etc Local authorities are fairly inclined to give extensions to planning, however its not gauranteed and present circumstances are taken into account. I have heard one refused in recent past where applicant had purchased a dwelling and they refused the extension

coolbeans

OP put in an Extension of Duration application. It's minimal and does not require drawings. The law has changed as per my link. Irish planning law is labyrinthine though so it is not surprising others doubt what I've said. For clarity, you do not need to have commenced any works.

BarneyJ

This is what the new legislation states:-

"Where development consisting of, or including, one or more than one house in respect of which permission was granted has not commenced within the appropriate period, a planning authority shall, subject to subsection (8), extend the appropriate period by such additional period (not exceeding 3 years) as the planning authority considers requisite to enable the development concerned to be completed, provided that—"

There are a few conditions:

Firstly, the application for the extension must be made within 6 months of the commencement of the new legislation, which was the 1st August 2025, so the application will have to be made before the 1st February 2026.

Secondly, the works must be commenced within 18 months of the commencement of the new legislation (so 18 months from the 1st August 2025) otherwise any extension granted will cease.