Observation on SHD application

Who can make an Observation?

Any person can make an observation.

Click here to find information making an observation on a strategic housing development application

How much time do I have to make an observation?

There are strict time limits. If you want to make an observation, you must make your observation within the 5-week time period beginning on the date An Bord Pleanála receives the application.

You can view current applications and the last dates to make an observation on these applications.

How much does an observation cost?

An observation costs €20.

No fee applies for certain organisations (prescribed bodies) set out in Regulations.

You can pay fees by several methods

How you make an observation

To make an observation, you can either:

Option 1

You can download the Observation form. The form is Microsoft Word (109Kb).

You will need to complete the form and save it as a Microsoft Word document or as a PDF document to send it to us online.

Alternatively you can print off the form when you have completed it and send it to us by post or deliver in person.

Option 2

You can decide not to use our form and instead prepare your observation document. For example: you may wish to prepare an observation like a letter in a Microsoft Word document.

If you want to send your observation to us online, you will still need to save or scan your document as a Microsoft Word document or as a PDF document.

What do I include in my observation?

You must put your observation in writing (either typed or handwritten).

You must state clearly your own name and postal address in the observation. If a planning agent is acting for you in this observation, the agent must clearly write their own name and postal address as well as your name and postal address.

You must give us enough details to allow us to easily identify the application you wish to make an observation on. Examples of the details we accept are:

the name and location of the proposed development in the application (for example: Town Square Project, Main Street, Ballytown, Co. Ballytown), or
the An Bord Pleanála case reference number for the application. The case reference number is the 6-digit number (for example: 300000).

You must give us:

your planning grounds of observation (reasons and arguments), and
any items you wish to support your grounds of observation.

You must make your observation on time and within the 5-week time period beginning on the date An Bord Pleanála receives the application. You can check the date a case was lodged and received by An Bord Pleanála.

You must follow the correct procedure below to pay the require fee and send your observation to us by your preferred option.

How do I send and pay for my observation?

You can choose one of these two options

Send online option

The easiest and quickest way to send us your observation is online. If you choose this option:

✔

You must have access to a debit or credit card and be ready to pay the correct fee.

strategic housing observation - €20
strategic housing observation and oral hearing request - €70

✔

You must complete your observation document and saved it as a Microsoft Word document or as a PDF document with your name and details of the case. When you have saved it, the name of the observation should look like this:

300000 - Ann Duine.docx, or
Town Square Project, Main Street, Ballytown - John Murphy.pdf

✔

You must send it to us at https://online.pleanala.ie/en-ie/housing/observation

Post or deliver in person option

You do not have to use the online option and can instead choose to post or deliver your observation in person. If you choose this option:

✔

You must pay the correct fee.

strategic housing observation - €20
strategic housing observation and oral hearing request - €70

✔

You can deliver your submission or observation together with fee to a member of An Bord Pleanála staff at our office at 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902.

You can also post your submission or observation to us but you must make sure that your submission or observation arrives with us before the final date. Observations received after 5.30pm on the final date cannot be accepted.

After we receive your observation

After we receive your observation we will make some checks and we will write to you to say we have received it. If you do not include all the required items above your observation may be invalid. We may also write to you for further information or to give you an update about the case.

An inspector will then visit the site and make a report and recommendation to the Board. The Board has a target to make a decision on the case within 16 weeks from the date we receive the application.

Looking for more in-depth information

On this website you can find more in-depth information about making an observation on a strategic housing development application

You can also find out more about strategic housing developments (SHD)

Frequently asked questions

Here you can find answers to some frequently asked questions about observations on strategic infrastructure development application.