The LRD or Large Scale Development application process generally consist of 4 stages-
Stage 1: Pre- application Section 247 consultation
Pre-application section 247 consultation with the planning authority is an important requirement of the LRD process. The purpose of the pre-application consultation is to afford any prospective applicants an opportunity to seek advice from the local authority on any planning matters that may have a bearing on the decision of the application.
Planning Authorities are required to schedule a meeting with the applicant within 4 weeks from receipt of the pre-application consultation request. A pre-application consultation can only be arranged with a person with sufficient legal interest in the land concerned and only with respect to a specific development proposal.
Application form for requesting Section 247 meeting with planning authority
Requests for pre planning consultation for LRD’s should be made to: Planning@galwaycity.ie
Stage 2: LRD meeting with the Planning Authority
After a prospective LRD applicant has completed a section 247 meeting, they may request an ‘LRD meeting’ with that local authority. Following the receipt of LRD consultation request, the Planning Authority is required to facilitate a consultation meeting with the applicant within 4 weeks of the date receipt of such a request. All LRD proposals are required to undertake an ‘LRD meeting’ with the relevant planning authority for the purpose of receiving an ‘LRD opinion’ recommending whether “the proposal constitutes a reasonable basis for submitting an LRD planning application” under Section 32(D) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000-2021.
Link to the pre-application form (18)
Fees for pre-application consultation - €1500
Stage 3: Forming and Issuing of ‘LRD Opinion’
Following the LRD meeting with a prospective applicant the planning authority is required to form an ‘LRD opinion’ within 4 weeks from the date of consultation. This involves considering the documents submitted for the purposes of the ‘LRD meeting’ as to whether the proposal constitutes a reasonable basis to make an LRD planning application. Where the Council forms the opinion that further consideration and amendment is required, it shall provide advice as to what issues need to be addressed by the prospective applicant in the documents to be submitted with an application. The ‘LRD opinion’ issued by the Local Authority is only valid up to 6 months. Our weekly planning list https://files.galwaycity.ie/gccplanninglists/#/ includes information on any LRD pre-application consultations currently being processed by Galway City Council
Stage 4: LRD Application
A prospective LRD applicant is required to fulfil the following requirements prior to making an LRD application:
- Has engaged with the local authority under Section 247 and received an LRD opinion (dated within 6 months)
- Application has addressed any issues identified or deficits in information set out within the ‘LRD opinion’
- The applicant is required to make a copy of the LRD application available for public viewing on a dedicated website
LRD Applications are subject to Section 34 timelines, with decisions due 8 weeks from application lodgement unless additional information has been requested. Under this new arrangement, Local Authorities are able to request additional information with respect to an LRD planning application. But this can only be requested once during the application process.
Neither the taking place of an LRD meeting nor the provision of an LRD opinion shall prejudice the performance by the planning authority of its functions under the relevant Act or any regulations under such Act or any other enactment and cannot be relied upon in the formal planning process or in legal proceedings.
LRD application form (19)