PlanningRegister.ie
South Dublin County Council · ED25/0082

94A Whitecliff, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, D16 ET22

Declared not exempt in Oct 2025: this work needs planning permission.

  1. 4 Sept 2025Received
  2. 1 Oct 2025Declared not exempt

Planning details

Status
Needs permission
Decision
Declared not exempt · 1 Oct 2025
Reference
ED25/0082
Type
Declaration of Exemption Sect. 5
Received
4 Sept 2025
Site
70 m²

What’s proposed

The granny flat has operated as a fully self-contained residence for over 32 years, with its own front and rear entrances, divided garden, independent essential services, dedicated parking and no shared access with the main dwelling. The unit was constructed in full compliance with planning and building regulations and has remained in lawful use since it's completion.

Show all

Planning Permission was granted under Decision Order P/4409/89 and building by-law approval under Order No. BBL/3630/89. No physical alterations are proposed, and the use does not materially affect the character of the area. The continued use aligns with Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Planning and development Regulations 2001 (As amended). This application is further supported by legal precedent, including Narconon Trust v An Coimisiún Pleanála (2006) IEHC 239, which confirms that a change of use without physical works may be exempted development. The continued use also qualifies for immunity under Section 160 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, having exceeded the statutory 7-year period without enforcement. We are a retired couple now living in what was a granny flat. The granny flat obtained permission on the basis that once it ceased to be used as a granny flat that it would then become part of the main dwelling. This arrangement aligns with national housing policy objectives promoting flexible living arrangements, efficient use of existing housing stock, and support for aging in place. We no longer have use for the main house as a family home. This application seeks confirmation that the continued independent use of the granny flat constitutes exempted development. It does not involve physical separation or subdivision requiring planning permission. I respectfully request that South Dublin County Council confirm the exempted development

17 other applications within 500 m in the last year · 2 open for comments

Open the free report

Nearby 17 · 500 m · 12 months

Distance
Time
Show all 17

Explore this area on the map →

Homes nearby

Development land nearby

See all development land near here →

Zoning

R2 — Existing residential

An established residential area. The objective is to protect existing residential amenity as well as to provide housing — which is the objective a neighbour's objection to an overbearing extension is usually argued under.

Protections nearby 250 m

Flood area nearby (OPW maps). floodinfo.ie ↗

  • NIAH-recorded building · 2
    Roseville; Willbrook House
Where this comes from

National planning feed (NPAD), fetched 11 Sept 2026, 18:51.

Source: National Planning Application Database · fetched 11 Sept 2026, 18:51
SourceLicenceFetchedLink
National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.011 Sept 2026, 18:51open
Summary

ED25/0082 is a request to South Dublin County Council for a Section 5 declaration (does this work need planning permission?): the granny flat has operated as a fully self-contained residence for over 32 years, with, received on 4 Sept 2025; the council declared the work not exempt on 1 Oct 2025, so it needs planning permission.