Knockrawer Breaffy Road , Castlebar , Co. Mayo.

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• Retention planning permission in Ireland — refused 27% of the time, against 7% for extensionsOne in six Dublin applications is for retention, and 27% of retention decisions in the two years to September 2026 were refusals. When you need it, the treble fee, the seven-year rule and the sale-time problem.
• Crèche and childcare planning applications in Dublin — half arrive inside housing schemes369 applications mentioning a crèche, childcare facility, Montessori or pre-school reached the Greater Dublin registers in 36 months, 234 granted and 34 refused. 196 of them are a crèche inside a housing scheme, required by the 2001 childcare guidelines at one facility of about 20 places per 75 homes; 173 are standalone, and 52 of those are a change of use of a shop, house or office. Where they are granted, why the standalone ones are refused, and every recent file linked.
• An Bord Pleanála appeal, now An Coimisiún Pleanála — four weeks, €220, and a 25% reversal rateThe Commission reversed the council in 25% of the 1,195 Dublin-area appeals decided in the two years to September 2026. Who can appeal, the four weeks, the €220 fee, why 240 appeals a year fail on procedure, and the odds by direction.
• Certificate of compliance with planning permission — what the architect's opinion covers and what it does notRetention applications were 17% of everything lodged in the GDA over 12 months, and a fifth of those decided were refused. What a certificate or opinion on compliance with planning permission says, who signs it, the Law Society and RIAI forms, and the gaps a buyer should close from the register.