Preplanning

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How Do I Arrange a Preplanning Consultation?

A preplanning meeting is not always necessary but applying for planning permission can be a complex and sometimes costly process with no guarantee that planning permission will be granted.  A preplanning meeting with a planner can provide you with information on the Development Plan policies relating to your proposed development.

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Is there a fee for the meeting?

No.  Wexford County Council does not charge a fee for most preplanning consultations and considers the preplanning process as part of its services to promote economic development in County Wexford.

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What can I do before the meeting?

It is advisable prior to making a preplanning application to consult the Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028, which may contain much of the relevant planning information needed for your proposed development.

Suggested relevant sections of the Wexford County Development Plan that may be of interest if planning to build:

Volume 1: Written Statement

Chapter 4 Sustainable Housing

Chapter 8 Transportation Strategy (if site isn't on local road)

Volume 2: Development Management Manual

Section 2 Common Principles for All Developments

Section 3 Residential Developments

Section 6 Transport and Mobility (for sightlines)

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It is also possible to view any planning history relating to your site on the Site Search Facility, which may identify previous refusals or grants of permission.  This may give you an indication of any technical issues such as effluent disposal or sightlines.  Details of previous applications from 2000 onwards are available under the Planning Search Facility.

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How do I arrange a meeting and what do I need?

You need to have a site location plan (this can be copied from our Site Search Facility).

If you are not the owner, you will need consent from the owner of the site to pursue preplanning advice.

If you have plans and designs completed, they should be submitted but this is not necessary for single dwellings at this stage.

Requests may be made by post or by email to preplanning@wexfordcoco.ie and must include the appropriate Preplanning Form and a Site Location Map.  The site must be clearly identifiable and outlined in red.

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What can I expect from the meeting?

The planner cannot advise if you will get planning permission or not, but can identify if your development complies with the policies of the development plan.  If you have provided design details of your development, comments can also be made on the suitability of the development to the site.  In most cases the planner will be aware of your site or will have visited before the meeting.

You will be asked if you prefer to have your application dealt with on the phone, by email, an online meeting (MS Teams) or in person.

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Do I get a record of the meeting?

You will receive written minutes of the meeting and a reference number for the preplanning meeting.  A record will be retained by the Planning Section but will only become available for public inspection once an application for permission has been received.  Your agent should include details of the meeting in your planning application and a reference to the meeting will be made in the planners report that assesses the application.

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For Residential Developments of 20-99 Dwellings / Commercial Developments

Depending on the type of proposal, you may be allocated to the Major Preplanning Process.  This involves an online meeting with senior staff of the Planning Department and staff from the relevant Council Departments.  The types of development include residential developments over 20 dwellings, commercial developments over 2,000 sqm, major job creation or essential infrastructure such as new schools and health care.  Such developments may be prioritised for meetings.
 
For such meetings the following is required:

  • A clear and detailed description of the proposed development

  • Company details relating to ownership

  • Site location plans

  • Proposed layout plans

  • Elevation plans

  • Proposed servicing including water, sewer, surface water attenuation and disposal

  • You are also advised to commence the process of obtaining confirmation from Irish Water of the feasibility of providing public water/wastewater services and availability of capacity.
     

Please Note:  Where an applicant has received a decision to refuse planning permission on a site, proposals to overcome the reasons for refusal must be submitted with the preplanning application, or will not be deemed as a preplanning meeting request.  

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For Large Scale Residential Developments (LRD) of over 100 dwellings, a separate process is required.  A greater degree of detail must be provided and you are advised to contact us directly at Planning Customer Service Unit on 053 9196101 or email at planning@wexfordcoco.ie.