How Do I Arrange a Pre-Planning Consultation?
Applying for planning permission can be complex and sometimes costly process with no guarantees 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.
Is there a fee for the meeting?
No, Wexford County Council does not currently charge a fee and considers the preplanning process as part of its services to promote economic development in County Wexford
What can I do before the meeting?
It is advisable prior to making a pre-planning application, to consult the Wexford County Development Plan 2013-2019, which may contain much of the relevant planning information needed for your proposed development. It is important to note that this plan is under review and the new County Development Plan may be commenced before you apply for permission. At present the new plan is in Draft and subject to change but it can be viewed here.
You may also 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 application from 2000 onwards are available under the Planning Search facility here.
How do I arrange a meeting and what do I need?
You should 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 pre-planning advice.
If you have plans and designs completed, they should be submitted but this is not necessary for single dwellings at this stage.
Requests can be made using the online form, by post or by email to preplanning@wexfordcoco.ie and must include the following documentation:
- The Pre-Planning Form Click here.
- A site location map. The site must be clearly identifiable & outlined in red.
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 be dealt with on the phone, email, online meeting (MS Teams) or in person (currently not available due to Covid restrictions). We hope you will not have to wait more than 4 weeks for a meeting, but this time period varies due to work loads and staff availability.
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 you apply for permission. 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 which assesses the application.
For large scale residential/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 over 2,000 sqm, major job creation or essential infrastructure such as new schools and health care. Such development may be prioritised for meetings.
For such meetings
- A clear and detailed description of 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 or will not be deemed as a preplanning meeting request