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Pre-planning ok, rejected when applied for, is this common?

  • 08-08-2025 09:48AM
    #1
    2 Wheels Good
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭


    As the title goes, my sister submitted their design for an extension to a small country bungalow in coastal west Cork.

    They submitted it in pre-planning and they got the ok with a couple of requests which they did.

    Planning have now rejected it and came back with other issues and design changes so that's 3 months lost.

    Is this common that they'd ok it then reject a design?



Comments

  • #2
    muffler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 47,128 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    It wouldn't be the norm but it's not unusual either. I've encountered this a couple of times in the past and from my experience it's usually down to a different planner dealing with the application. When you say it has been rejected do you mean refused or has further information been sought?



  • #3
    Penn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 36,219 ✭✭✭✭Penn


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058421554/pre-planning-ok-rejected-when-applied-for-is-this-common

    The pre-planning meeting is a very short and swift review of the overall principle of the application. They may give a few pointers on some of the biggest things that might cause the application to be rejected, improving your chance of a successful application, but it's never a "Yes you will get planning no problem" regardless of how positive the outcome of the pre-planning seemed.

    The actual planning application is reviewed by many people from different departments, and a more in-depth review even by the same planner the pre-planning meeting may have been with. Which means more things might be noted that need to be changed. Or it could be a different planner with different opinions on some of the more subjective aspects of the design.

    Was the application refused, or is it just Request for Further Information (ie. modify the design a bit to address these few items)? If it's Further Information, once you resubmit the Council have to review it and give a decision within 4 weeks, so it's not a whole full-blown application again (whereas if they refused it, it would be a full new application). FI requests are very common and to be expected.

    Depending on the council's reasons for sending it back and how much of a redesign is required, it could be very minor changes. Your sister's architect/engineer/surveyor should be able to advise.



  • #4
    2 Wheels Good
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭2 Wheels Good


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123705848#Comment_123705848

    Further information but also major design changes (moving the extension ~2 metres)



  • #5
    2 Wheels Good
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭2 Wheels Good


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123705850#Comment_123705850

    As above further information but also major design changes (moving the extension ~2 metres)

    Just added expense and more lost time which is stressing for her



  • #6
    muffler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 47,128 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    As Penn stated a decision must be made within 4 weeks of submitting the required info so no need to unduly worry about time delays. The options are either submit the info as requested or talk to the planner again with a view to reaching a compromised design.



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  • #7
    2 Wheels Good
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭2 Wheels Good


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123705887#Comment_123705887

    Thanks, good advice



  • #8
    rayjdav
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,119 ✭✭✭rayjdav


    From my experience, a pre planning for an extension is complete waste of time. Usually just get typical response of, comply with development plan, entrance ok etc, technical issues. Rarely has a pre planning discussed the actual building. Any comments in a pre planning cannot be taken as a summary approval. I let it in and deal with the expected RFI when it comes, as it does …



  • #9
    Penn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 36,219 ✭✭✭✭Penn


    Yeah I would typically advise clients of the likelihood of FI, and include it in projected timelines, possible costs etc.

    With or without pre-planning, or regardless how simple an application/project it may be, there can be so many variables in it that an FI request is always likely. I've had full greenfield houses that have sailed through planning, I've had small rear extensions that have had a horrid time getting through planning and FI.



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