What is strategic infrastructure development?
An Bord Pleanála is the national body that makes a decision to grant permission or refuse permission for to major infrastructure projects that are important to either Ireland, the region or the local area. Examples include motorways, railway lines, pipelines, ports or major facilities like hospitals. These infrastructure applications are called Strategic Infrastructure Developments.
Strategic Infrastructure Developments also include development which would:
- contribute significantly to meeting any of the objectives of the National Planning Framework, or
- contribute significantly to meeting any regional spatial and economic strategy for an area, or
- have a significant effect on the area of more than one planning authority.
You can find out more about the Strategic Infrastructure Development process in our Strategic Infrastructure Developments: Your Guide.
How will I know when an application is made?
Before applying to An Bord Pleanála, the prospective applicant must publish a notice of the proposed application in at least one newspaper circulating in the area of where the proposed development is to be located.
In most cases, site notices will also be required. These notices will:- give the name of the applicant,
- give details about the nature and location of the proposed development,
- state if an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) is required and has been prepared by the applicant,
- state if a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) is required and has been prepared by the applicant,
- give the times and places where the application, EIAR or NIS can be viewed and copies bought,
- give that an application is to be made to the An Bord Pleanála for planning permission or approval depending on the type of case,
- state the types of decision which the Board may make,
- state that the public may make observations on the proposed application to An Bord Pleanála (at least six weeks will be allowed), and
- state that prescribed bodies may make observations on the proposed application to An Bord Pleanála.
An Bord Pleanála will publish details about the application we have received in the weekly list of new cases on our website.
Where can I see or get copies of the application?
There are two ways you can see or get copies of the application.
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Application's Website |
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The applicant must provide a website where the application can be inspected. You can find the website address on the newspaper notice and on the site notice. The notices will provide information on how the public can make an observation to An Bord Pleanála about the application. |
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Hard copies at An Bord Pleanála's office and local planning authority's office |
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The applicant must give paper copies of the application to An Bord Pleanála and the local planning authority and they are available for viewing for at least six weeks. The applications can be viewed at An Bord Pleanála’s office and the local planning authority’s office. If the development is in more than one planning authority area, copies of the application will be available in each local planning authority. The documents can be inspected free of charge. You can also buy a copy of the application for a reasonable cost depending on the number and format of the pages in the application documents. |
Can I see or get copies of the pre-application consultation or scoping case files?
Yes. The pre-application consultation or scoping case files will be available to view when the Board has determined the cases.
You can view these decided case files through our public access service. The case file will contain the records of any meetings between An Bord Pleanála and proposed applicant held during the pre-application consultation process.
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