County council is an early point of contact to see if you need planning permission

CORK County Council’s Planning Department is responsible for the orderly and sustainable development of the County. Details of planning permission guidelines, and how to make a planning application, as well as a wide variety of planning information, are available from the Planning Department’s office in leaflet form. They are also available on the county council website, or the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Equally, building professionals, such as architects, quantity surveyors and contractors, can guide you through the planning process, which can be daunting for those unused to what is involved.

Generally, you need planning permission for any development of land or property, unless the development is specifically exempted from this requirement. The term ‘development’ includes the carrying out of works (building, demolition, alteration) on land or buildings and the making of a material, that is significant, change of use of land or buildings.

Exempted development is development for which planning permission is not required. There are usually certain thresholds relating to, for example, size or height.

The most common type of planning application made is for permission, sometimes referred to as full permission.

There are also circumstances when you may want to make an application for outline permission, such as when you want to see whether the planning authority agrees with your proposal in principle before you go to the trouble of making detailed plans.

You do not have to consult the planning authority before making a planning application, but it is often advisable to do so where you are unsure of local planning policies and application procedures. Depending on the type of development, you may need to discuss connections to the public water supply and sewer. The larger the development proposal, the greater the need for prior consultation.

If you are granted planning permission, you may not be automatically entitled to carry out your proposed development.

You may need other approvals, depending on the type of development. For example, all new buildings, extensions, alterations and certain changes in the use of existing buildings must comply with building regulations, which set out basic design and construction requirements.

You may also need permission if making a connection to a public water main or sewer.