—— PLANNING PERMISSION
For most homeowners, the planning process is a black box. You don't know if you need permission, what the council is likely to say, what drawings are required, or what happens after you submit. The result is either money wasted on a professional for something that didn't need planning at all, or a rejected application that sets you back six months.
We work with homeowners and self-builders. That focus matters. We know the questions you're asking, the concerns Wicklow and Dublin councils are likely to raise, and what a well-prepared application looks like for a domestic project.
Whether you're adding a kitchen extension, converting an attic, or planning a new home on a site you've had for years, we can tell you where you stand and get the application sorted.
—— NEW DWELLINGS
—— UNDER 40SQM
—— HOUSE EXTENSIONS
—— ATTIC CONVERSIONS
What will planning actually cost?
Tell us a few things about your project and you'll see an honest indication of fees before you commit to anything. Final quotes follow a quick site review.
Pre-planning consultation: A focused review of your site, the proposed works, and the relevant exempt-development limits. You leave with a written summary, a clear position on whether you need permission, and an honest assessment of likely council concerns.
Suburban: An established residential area with no special planning designations. The straightforward base case.
—— ways we can help you
Pre-Planning Consultation
Review of your site, property, and proposed works
Clear advice on whether planning permission is required
Exempt development limits explained for your specific situation
Assessment of likely council concerns based on site and location
Honest assessment of the likelihood of success
Written summary of advice provided
Understand your position before committing to anything.
Full Planning Application
Everything prepared and submitted on your behalf.
Application form preparation and submission to the council
Site notice wording and newspaper notice arranged
Design statement and planning report drafted
3D planning renders prepared where required by the council
Response to further information requests managed
Decision reviewed and conditions explained clearly
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not always. A rear extension of up to 40 square metres can qualify as exempt development under the Planning and Development Regulations, but the exemption has strict conditions covering height, remaining garden space, and any previous extensions to the property. We review your specific situation and tell you clearly whether your project is exempt before you spend money on a full application.
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A Section 5 Declaration is a formal ruling from your local authority confirming whether your proposed works are exempt development. It costs €80 and gives you certainty in writing, which matters if you ever sell the property and a solicitor asks for proof the works didn't need permission. We can prepare and submit the Section 5 application on your behalf.
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We regularly prepare applications for Wicklow County Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin and Fingal county councils. Each authority has its own development plan and its own typical concerns, and we tailor every application accordingly.
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A further information request (FI) is common and not a rejection, it pauses your application while the council seeks clarification, often on drainage, overlooking, or design detail. We draft the response, prepare any additional drawings or 3D renders required, and manage the resubmission so the application stays on track.
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A refusal can be appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála, or in many cases it's faster to revise the design to address the council's stated reasons and resubmit. We review the refusal reasons with you honestly and recommend whichever route gives you the better chance of success.
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We're based in Greystones and work throughout Co. Wicklow and Dublin, including Bray, Delgany, Kilcoole, Newtownmountkennedy and the wider A63 and A98 Eircode areas with selected projects across Leinster.