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Commenting on a Planning Application
The Planning & Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) have set out the procedures to be followed in respect of submissions/observations in relation to planning applications; these comments may be positive or negative. An appeal of a decision by a Planning Authority can only be made to An Bord Pleanála where a valid submission has been received, other than the applicant or adjoining land owner who must apply for leave to appeal.
The Planning Application
When a planning application is received by the Planning Authority it is validated and assigned a planning register number. This is subject to the current Planning & Development Regulations. The planning application must be advertised by way of a site notice - which is erected on the site for development, and in a listed newspaper. Planning application reference numbers are available on our website or by calling our Customer Service Unit. This is a unique number and should be quoted on the submission/observation and on all correspondence regarding the application.
The planning process is an open and transparent process and your submissions/observations are placed on a public file with all other documents submitted. This information is also placed on Wexford County Council's website. Should the content of the submissions/observations be considered potentially defamatory, the submissions/observations shall be held confidentially i.e. not published on the website.
Defamation Notice
Participants making submissions to the Planning Authority on planning applications should be aware that comments involving allegations of any kind against a named or otherwise identifiable person or organisation may be viewed as defamatory by the subject of the comments. Participants may be sued directly for any defamatory allegations in a submission and should avoid making such allegations. Submissions made to the Planning Authority may be made available for public inspection. Please note that in the event of any potentially defamatory allegation giving rise to legal action against it, the Planning Authority may seek indemnity from the person making the allegation. It should be understood that the Planning Authority is only concerned with issues relevant to the planning application and that personalised comments are generally not relevant to its deliberations.
A Valid Submission/Observation
To ensure your comments are taken into consideration your submission/observation must comply with the following:
- Any person or body may make a submission or observation on a planning application.
- This must be made in writing to the planning authority in accordance with the Planning & Development Regulations 2001 (as amended).
- Must be made within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. If the last day of this five week period falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday, submissions/observations can be accepted on the next working day.
- A payment of €20 must accompany the submission/observation. Payment is accepted by cash at our public counter, or can be paid by cheque or postal order made payable to Wexford County Council. Debit and credit card payments are accepted also.
The submission/observation must include the following:
- Include the Planning Register Number
- Your name and address
- E-mail address/contact phone number of the person or body making the submission/observation, although not a requirement, would enable the Planning Department to contact you should any issue arise
- Indicate the address to which any correspondence relating to the application should be sent
- In the case of a submission/observation with multiple signatories, an acknowledgement will be sent to one signatory only, the address of which should be indicated on the submission/observation
Ensure the above details are legible (in block capitals) and the submission/observation is also signed and dated.
Should your submission/observation comply with the above, it is acknowledged by the Planning Department. A receipt will issue separately from our Finance Department. These are important documents and will be required if you wish to appeal the decision of the Planning Authority to An Bord Pleanála.
Invalid Submission
If the submission/observation does not comply, it is returned with the attached monies.
Withdrawn Submission
There is no mechanism in the regulations for the withdrawal of a submission/observation. You may however, make a further addition to your submission instructing the Planning Authority to disregard your original submission. This must be done as soon as possible, and within the first five weeks. Both letters then remain on the file.
What the Planning Authority does for a Valid Submission
A person or body which makes a valid submission/observation on a planning application is advised in writing:
- When further information is requested - Wexford County Council will only notify and accept submissions on further information and revised plans that contain significant additional data including information in relation to effects on the environment.
- When a decision is made. You will be provided with a copy of the decision and information regarding the appeal process to An Bord Pleánala.
- When an appeal is made to An Bord Pleánala.
Do you still have questions? Any queries can be dealt with by calling our dedicated Customer Service Unit.
Telephone: 053 9196000 Option 2
e-mail: planning@wexfordcoco.ie
website: https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/planning
Other Sources of Information: