Planning by Law: Councils’ Obligation to Provide Pre-Planning Consultations 

In Ireland, the right to engage with the planning process begins before an application is ever submitted. Under Section 247 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, any person with an interest in land may request a pre-application consultation with their local planning authority. This statutory requirement places a clear obligation on councils: they must facilitate such consultations within a reasonable timeframe and cannot arbitrarily refuse them.

The purpose of these meeting often called pre-planning clinics is to provide early clarity for applicants. Planning authorities use them to outline relevant development plan policies, highlight potential issues such as zoning conflicts or environmental constraints, and explain procedural requirements. Importantly, Section 247 makes clear that these consultations are advisory only. They cannot bind the authority to a decision, nor can they prejudice the formal planning process. Instead, they act as an early checkpoint, ensuring applicants approach the system informed and prepared.

Different councils implement this statutory duty in different ways. For example, Cork County Council requires applicants to complete a formal written request before attending a clinic. As outlined in its October 2022 Pre-Application Consultation Form (OPR), applicants must provide supporting documents such as a site location map, draft layout, or photographs, along with proof of their legal interest in the land. Once the request is accepted, the council assigns a reference number and records the time, place, and details of the meeting. This record is then linked to any subsequent planning application, creating transparency and accountability in the process.

Other councils, such as Carlow County Council, have introduced digital tools to strengthen their pre-planning services. Through Carlow.PrePlanning.ie, applicants can instantly generate a detailed site report covering zoning, planning history, flood risk, and other key constraints. This means they arrive at their consultation with a much clearer understanding of their site and its context, making the discussion with planners more focused and productive. Carlow continues to offer traditional in-person pre-planning meetings, but the addition of a digital first step has modernised and enhanced  the service significantly.

This combination of statutory clinics and digital tools represents best practice in action. The law, through Section 247, establishes the right to consultation. Councils like Cork demonstrate how to implement that duty in a structured, transparent way. Councils like Carlow show how to enhance it with modern technology. Both approaches illustrate how pre-planning can evolve while remaining firmly grounded in its legal foundation.

Carlow County Council's efforts to enhance its pre-planning enquiry service has earned national recognition for its innovative and research-based design. By adopting PrePlanning.ie , Carlow streamlined its pre-planning workflow and provided a better, faster service to both applicants and planners. And the best part? No internal system changes were needed  just a smarter way to support applicants from the start.

At PrePlanning.ie, we help councils deliver on their obligations under Section 247 while going further. Our platform produces instant, GIS-based planning reports that applicants can use when requesting a consultation. This complements council requirements by ensuring supporting information is accurate and comprehensive. It also enhances service delivery by freeing up planners to spend more time on substantive guidance instead of basic data gathering. Ultimately, Section 247 sets the minimum legal requirement for councils. But with the right tools in place, pre-planning can be transformed from a statutory duty into a modern, efficient, and user-friendly service that benefits both applicants and planners alike.

Whether you're looking to:

• Improve the quality of site submissions with clear, data-rich reports from the outset.

• Save time by eliminating manual map searches and repetitive data gathering.

• Enhance consistency across your planning team with standardised, planner-informed reports.

• Increase the efficiency of pre-planning clinics by enabling better preparation and more focused consultations.

• Future-proof your service by aligning with digitalisation goals and OPR-led best practices.

PrePlanning.ie is ready to support your council. Call us today on (056) 7820020 or complete our contact form to book a quick demo and discover how national scale data can support local decision making with confidence.