In the context of the most up-to-date public health advice during this COVID-19 emergency, the Government has introduced a suspension of all time periods associated with statutory processes under the Planning and Development Acts.
This means that time periods specified for any statutory planning process under these Acts and related planning and building control legislation are disregarded, which means that they are, in effect, extended for the period until Monday, April 20 inclusive. This period may be further extended by Order of the Minister.
Please note that the Planning Service at Westmeath County Council continues to operate during this time and every effort is being made to ensure that services are available as normal for the submission of planning applications, pre-planning requests via phone or conference facilities and the viewing of applications online together with the placing of submissions and observations on planning files.
Draft Westmeath County Development Plan
The public consultation period for submissions and observations to the Draft Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027, available at https://consult.westmeathcoco.ie/en, has also been extended by a further 23 days or until such time as the Minister determines.
You can now make submissions to the Draft Development Plan in writing up until 5pm on Tuesday, May 28.
FAQs
What does this mean for processing planning applications?
The Planning Authority normally has a period of eight weeks to determine a planning application.
There is now an additional period of 23 days up to eleven weeks and two days in total, to determine a planning application.
The exact calculation of the extended time period will depend on the date a planning application is submitted to the Local Authority and the stage of the process it is at, with further details set out below.
Planning Applications submitted up to and including February 21
These applications have been subject to the minimum period for public consultation and can be decided. The period for deciding these applications may be extended by up to the duration of the Order i.e. up to a further three weeks and two days.
Planning Applications submitted after February 21
Any planning application that was submitted to a planning authority less than five weeks prior to the date of commencement of the Order, i.e. after Friday 21st February 2020, cannot be decided by the Planning Authority until after Monday 20th April 2020 (or as further extended ). This is to ensure that the five-week period for public consultation is completed after the expiry of the duration of the Order.
Planning Applications Submitted on or after March 29
Any planning application submitted to a planning authority after the date of commencement of the Order, cannot be decided by the Planning Authority until the five-week period for public consultation on the application commences, and this cannot commence until the expiry of the duration of the Order (20th April ) plus at least five weeks i.e. after Monday 25th May 2020.
Can Planning Applications still be made during the period of the Order?
Yes, planning applications may be posted to the Municipal District Offices or submitted by appointment.
It should be noted that if a planning application is received over this period, there will be an onus on the applicant to maintain a site notice on site until after Monday, May 25.
Can I make an appeal to An Bord Pleanála during the period of the Order?
Yes – See http://www.pleanala.ie/ for details associated with the submission of appeals.
The four-week period in which the appeal may be made from the date of the Planning Authority’s decision shall be extended by 23 days or any longer period of duration made by the Minister.
