How Councils Can Seamlessly Enhance Pre-Planning Clinics Without Changing Existing Processes

In recent years, the demands on local authority planning departments have increased dramatically. From navigating complex environmental policies to managing higher volumes of pre-application enquiries, planners are being asked to do more with less. But modernising the pre-planning process doesn’t have to mean overhauling internal procedures or adopting complicated new systems.

With PrePlanning.ie, councils can integrate a digital pre-planning enquiry tool alongside existing clinics, delivering immediate value for planners, applicants and communities alike — without disrupting established workflows.

A key principle behind PrePlanning.ie is simplicity. The system isn’t designed to replace or interfere with a council’s established pre-planning clinic structure. Instead, it acts as a value-add resource — a quick, reliable tool that delivers up-to-date, site-specific planning constraints reports in seconds.

Here’s how it works:

• Applicants (or council planners on their behalf) can generate a detailed pre-planning enquiry report through a simple web form.
• The report queries dozens of relevant GIS layers instantly — including protected structures, Natura 2000 sites, planning history and more.
• A unique report URL is generated, which applicants can reference on their pre-planning clinic request forms.
• Both the council planner and applicant can review the same, consistent report ahead of meetings, helping to focus discussions and flag potential issues early.

This ensures planners remain in control of the consultation process while benefiting from enhanced, consolidated data to support decision-making.

PrePlanning.ie has proven to be an invaluable learning tool for early career planners. By centralising complex planning data into a clear, structured report, the system reduces the time and effort needed to locate relevant information from multiple, dispersed sources.

Within Carlow County Council, for example, the service has been fully integrated into the induction process for new planning staff. Early career planners use it to assess hypothetical and live applications, familiarising themselves with local policy layers and environmental constraints in a practical, site-specific context.

Senior planners have also used it as a mentorship tool, reviewing reports with junior staff to explain constraint implications and policy considerations in real time. This builds confidence, competency and consistency in pre-planning consultations.

When the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) published Case Study Paper CSP04 in 2022, it urged planning authorities to improve the delivery of pre-application (S247) services. Carlow County Council took that challenge seriously, becoming one of the first councils in Ireland to implement a digital pre-planning enquiry platform tailored to those guidelines.

Importantly, this was done without changing their internal processes. PrePlanning.ie was designed as a complementary service, offering better data and smarter consultations while preserving existing clinic operations.

The advantages of integrating a digital pre-planning enquiry tool alongside clinics are immediate and tangible:

• Faster, better-informed consultations
• Increased applicant preparedness
• Reduced consultation times
• Enhanced professional development for early career planners
• Improved data consistency and environmental awareness
• A scalable, national model for smarter pre-planning services

In Carlow County Council, over 3,700 reports have already been generated, earning positive feedback from staff and applicants alike.

For planning authorities looking to enhance their pre-planning services without overhauling procedures, PrePlanning.ie offers a practical, easy-to-integrate solution. It complements existing clinics, strengthens professional practice, and aligns with OPR-recommended best practice.

It’s not about replacing planners’ judgement — it’s about giving them the best possible information, faster.

If you’re interested in exploring how your council could integrate this simple, scalable tool alongside your existing services, request a demonstration to learn more or contact us below.