Make a Submission \ Observation
You must make a submission \ observation in writing. You can do so in two ways, either online or paper based.
How to make a Submission\Observation
Online Submission \ Observation
The portal, which can be accessed at https://planning.localgov.ie/ and allows members of the public to make submissions \ observations electronically.
The portal allows you to:
- Register as user and login to your account.
- Make a submission or observation on a Planning application and pay the required fee of €20 online when making the submission.
You are encouraged to register on the e-planning portal, where an information video and user guide are available at the following link https://planning.localgov.ie/what-online-planning
Paper Submission \ Observation
All submissions/observations, must be made in writing via email to planning@donegalcoco.ie or to Donegal County Council, Planning Services, County House, Lifford, Co. Donegal, F93 Y622.
Advice and information on the making of a submission / observation.
In order for a submission/observation to be accepted as valid by the planning authority, it must meet and include the following criteria:
- The name of the person or body making the submission / observation.
- The planning reference number of the application concerned.
- The submission / observation must be received within the statutory time period.
- The address to which any correspondence relating to the application may be sent.
- The required fee of €20 accompanying the submission.
- Online submission / observations the fee must be paid online (via card) when making the submission.
- Paper-based submission / observations the fee can be paid by Card, Cheque, Cash or Bank Transfer. To make a payment via card for paper-based submissions (please call our contact centre on 074 91 53900. Ask for the cash office and once the transaction has been processed note the receipt number on your submission.
The planning process is an open and transparent process. Please do not provide details of private matters in relation to yourself or others within any documentation provided. Any submission/observation made to the Planning Authority is made available for public inspection both in the hard copy file and online on the County Councils Planning Enquiry System on the website https://www.eplanning.ie/DonegalCC/SearchExact
Any member of the public other than the applicant can make a written submission/ observation objecting to or supporting a planning application. Anyone making a written submission/observation on an application is informed of the council’s decision and of the right to appeal to An Bord Pleanála against the Council’s decision. Please retain the acknowledgement receipt as you will need this receipt should you decide to make an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
If the last date for the submission/observation falls on any day on which the Planning Offices are closed, the final date for receipt of the submission shall be the next working day. Any submission/observation received outside of the statutory time will be returned in its entirety to the person concerned and cannot be considered by the Planning Authority.
Submissions/observations may be made by an individual or a group. In the case of a group submission/observation, a member of the group must be nominated to receive correspondence on the group's behalf (i.e., chairperson / secretary of the group) and their address clearly stated.
Any personal information, dislikes or grievances, non-planning issues, defamatory or libelous allegations should be omitted from any submission/observation. Email addresses and telephone numbers only will be redacted as far as possible.
Submissions/observations on planning applications must be based on planning considerations only. Planning considerations include national, regional plans and Government, Ministerial directives, development plan objectives and policies, local area plan objectives and policies, development management considerations such as density, parking provision, traffic hazards, overlooking, effects on residential amenities or services, environmental, amenity and shopping impacts, public health; and other relevant matters relating to proper planning and sustainable development.
It is advisable that you give as much detail as possible in your submission. You may also submit maps / drawings & photos with your submission to further explain your points.
There is no mechanism in the planning regulations for the withdrawal of a submission/observation. You may, however, make a further addition to your submission / observation (if within the statutory time period) instructing the Planning Authority to disregard your original submission/observation. Both correspondences shall remain on the file and shall be available for public viewing.
Please note persons who made a submission /observation on a planning application will only be notified of the receipt of further information where that further information is considered significant and requires new public notices.
For further helpful advice and information on the making of a submission/observation go to: https://www.opr.ie/planning-leaflets/