What is an observation?
An observation is where you give your views on a valid appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála. Any person can make an observation if they are not already a participant in the appeal. You can only make an observation if someone has made a valid appeal on a planning authority’s decision on a planning application.
Generally, any person wanting to carry out development must apply for planning permission to their local county council, city council or city and county council (the planning authority). The planning authority will make a decision on the application either to grant or to refuse planning permission. This decision can be appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Who can make an observation on a planning appeal?
Any person can make an observation if they are not already a participant in the appeal. You can only make an observation if someone has made a valid appeal on a planning authority’s decision on a planning application.
How much time do I have to make an observation?
There are strict time limits for making an observation depending on the situation.
You want to make an observation on an appeal that has been received by An Coimisiún Pleanála
The time limit is four weeks from the date the appeal or the last appeal is made.
You want to make an observation because of a published public notice which says that An Coimisiún Pleanála requested and received an environmental impact assessment report (EIAR).
The time limit is five weeks from the date that the public notice is published.
You want to make an observation because An Coimisiún Pleanála has asked the applicant to publish a further site or newspaper notice.
The time limit is four weeks from the date that the further site or newspaper notice is published.
There are different rules about time limits between December 24 and January 1 (inclusive) which can affect the last date.
Need help calculating the 4-week deadline?
You can use the calendar calculator on our website to find your exact final date for scenarios 1 and 3.
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