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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 09, 2025

QUESTION NO. 19

QUESTION: Councillor J. Sinnott

To ask the Chief Executive to confirm that observations submitted by County Councillors on open and live planning application are treated no differently from those received from members of the public and carry no additional weight or influence.

REPLY:

Anyone, other than the applicant, can support or object to a planning application by making a submission or observation to the planning authority. This includes Elected Members, residents, and other stakeholders.

The Planning & Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) set out the procedures to be followed in respect of submissions/observations in relation to planning applications, which may be positive or negative. 

All submissions or observations must be in writing and received within 5 weeks of receipt of the valid planning application.  

All submissions and observations are acknowledged, and no decision on an application is made until the Planning Authority has had that application for 5 weeks. 

The planning process is an open and transparent process and all submissions/observations are placed on a public file with all other documents submitted and documented in the planner's report. 

Details of the planning decision is given to the applicant and all those who made observation within 3 days of the making of the decision. 

The Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) requires that the planning authority, in making its decision on a planning application, shall be restricted to considering the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, and shall have regard to, inter alia, the provisions of the development plan, the provisions of any special amenity area order relating to the area and, where relevant, the policy of the government, the minister or any other minister of the government and any written submissions or observations concerning the proposed development.