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Planning report · Galway County Council · 500 m around the house · the last 12 months · 1 Nov 2026, 14:06

Castle Avenue

53.09012, -8.22068

Homes here mostly date from the 2000s.

See on the mapWatch this area
Distance
250 m500 m1 km2 km
Time
12 months2 years5 years

Not held yet for Galway County Council: council consultations.

0open for comments nearbywithin 500 m

How planning works, with this area's numbers

steps can overlap · medians for home extensions within 1.5 km, 10 years
  1. 1ApplySite notice up, plans online
  2. 2Comments5 weeks, €20. Comment to keep your right to appeal
  3. 3Decision8 weeks by law
  4. 4Appeal window4 weeks after the decision
  5. 5AppealAt An Coimisiún Pleanála
  6. 6PermissionLasts 5 years
  7. 7StartStart notice to the council
  8. 8Sign-offCompletion cert, or the owner opts out
Question 1

What's the planning story of this house?

Figure 1

When it was built, and the rules since

Most homes here were built 2001–10, under planning permission and building regulations.

Timeline from 1955: planning permission needed from October 1964, building regulations from June 1992, building records online from March 2014, sign-off opt-out from September 2015. Most homes here were built 2001–2010.1960197019801990200020102020Oct 1964permission neededJun 1992building regulationsMar 2014building records onlineSep 2015owners may opt out of sign-offThis houseAll of PortumnaBuilt: most homes in this small area date from 2001–2010 (census estimate)most built2021: 6 files on Portumna2022: 7 files on Portumna2023: 2 files on Portumna2024: 1 file on Portumna2025: 3 files on Portumna2026: 3 files on Portumna22 files

Each line is a rule that applies to work done after it.

MeasuredEstimatecouncil register via NPAD · build years: CSO Census 2022, small area

On this site
M2
Zoning · Major town centre
No
Protected or listed · on the council's list
No
Vacant land tax · not on the map
No
Flood zone (development plan) · not in Zone A or B
Zoning, protection, tax and flood: the detail
ZoningM2 · Major town centre
What it says

Town Centre: To provide for the development and improvement of appropriate town centre uses including retail, commercial, office and civic/community uses and to provide for “Living over the Shop” scheme Residential accommodation, or other ancillary residential ac

The main town centre — retail, offices, civic uses, apartments.

galway county development plan 2022 2028 · 20 Jun 2022 – 19 Jun 2028

Protected building4 within 100 m Abbey Street Terraced two bay two-storey house, built c.1820.; Portumna Castle
Heritage inventory5 within 100 m house; Portumna Castle

Not on this site: monument zone, conservation area, EU nature site, EU bird site, natural heritage area, tree order, landslide risk, derelict list.

Licensed industrial sites within 1.0 km: Portumna (764 m); Portumna Pastry Limited (807 m)

Vacant land taxNo not on the map
Flood riskNone mapped within 500 m
Within 500 mCountFor example
Heritage inventory buildings41house; Portumna National School
Monuments13Designed landscape feature; Church
How we work this out
'On this site' means the record's own map outline touches the registered parcel (or a 12 m circle round the point where there is no parcel). Only the council's own list confirms a protected building; ask the council if in doubt. The OPW flood map's licence lets us show a yes/no only. Land on the vacant land tax map nearby: 28 on the draft 2027 map; 28 on the final 2026 map.
Sources: Development plan zoning (councils), National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, EPA licensed facilities (LEAP), Records of Protected Structures, Residential Zoned Land Tax maps, Constraint layers (bundle), Sites and Monuments Record · fetched 26 Oct 2026, 23:21
SourceLicenceFetchedLink
Development plan zoning (councils)CC BY 4.025 Oct 2026, 23:06open
National Inventory of Architectural HeritageCC BY 4.027 Sept 2026, 19:35open
EPA licensed facilities (LEAP)CC BY 4.026 Oct 2026, 23:21open
Records of Protected StructuresCC BY 4.0—open
Residential Zoned Land Tax mapsCC BY 4.025 Oct 2026, 23:43open
Constraint layers (bundle)CC BY 4.0, CC BY-NC-ND 4.027 Sept 2026, 19:37open
Sites and Monuments RecordCC BY 4.027 Sept 2026, 19:29open
How we work this out
Applications whose site outline (or map point) falls on this property. 'No sign building has started' means we found no notice to the council's building control office; small jobs don't always file one, so ask. A missing completion certificate is not proof of a problem: an owner can opt out of official sign-off for a house or extension built for themselves.
Sources: Building Control Management System (commencement notices), National Planning Application Database · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 05:02
SourceLicenceFetchedLink
Building Control Management System (commencement notices)CC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 03:07open
National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 05:02open
Question 2

Could you extend?

Nothing on this site restricts it: not protected, not in a conservation area.

Figure 2

Portumna, file by file since 2021

4 of 4 decided extensions on the road were approved.

22 planning files on Portumna since 2021, by kind and decision.202120222023202420252026Extensions, atticsNo number · 2021 · single-storey rear · approved · 211658No number · 2021 · single-storey rear · approved · 212220No number · 2022 · single-storey rear · approved · 22787No number · 2025 · other extension · approved · 2560632Porches, roofs, otherNo number · 2021 · other work · approved · 211013No number · 2021 · other work · approved · 211557No number · 2021 · other work · approved · 21451No number · 2021 · other work · approved · 21884No number · 2022 · other work · approved · 2260732No number · 2022 · other work · refused · 2260734No number · 2022 · other work · approved · 2261024No number · 2022 · other work · refused · 22637No number · 2022 · other work · approved · 2285No number · 2022 · other work · approved · 22983No number · 2023 · other work · approved · 23364No number · 2023 · other work · approved · 2361343No number · 2024 · other work · approved · 2460558No number · 2025 · other work · approved · 25322No number · 2025 · other work · approved · 2560537No number · 2026 · other work · approved · 26171No number · 2026 · other work · approved · 2660087No number · 2026 · other work · approved · 2660595New house in a side garden
ApprovedRefusedWithdrawn or invalid

22 files with "Portumna" in the address within 600 m, other roads of the same name left out. Hover a dot for the house number and reference.

MeasuredOur classificationcouncil register via NPAD · 2021–2026

Extensions and refusals right beside you 0 within 250 m · 0 refused within 100 m

Extensions and refusals near you 0 extensions within 250 m · the last 12 months

No home extensions within 250 m in the last 12 months.

Refused within 100 m 0 in the last 12 months

Nothing refused this close in the last 12 months.

    How we work this out
    Home extensions are read from the application's description (extension, attic or dormer, porch, garage conversion, garden room), so a few may be missed or mislabelled. The kind is the first that fits: a dormer with a rear extension counts as a dormer. Refusal reasons come from An Coimisiún Pleanála's inspector reports, so they exist only where the refusal was appealed (Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown so far). The council's own reasons are on its planning file.
    Sources: National Planning Application Database, An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed) · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 05:02
    SourceLicenceFetchedLink
    National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 05:02open
    An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)CC BY 4.030 Oct 2026, 23:01open
    Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices), National Planning Application Database · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 05:02
    SourceLicenceFetchedLink
    An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)CC BY 4.030 Oct 2026, 23:01open
    Building Control Management System (commencement notices)CC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 03:07open
    National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 05:02open
    Question 3

    How long, and what if someone objects?

    Figure 3

    What appeals changed

    2 of 2 appealed refusals became permissions. 1 of 2 appealed approvals were reversed.

    Refusals appealed2 decided
    2 became permissions
    Approvals appealed2 decided
    1 reversed
    Ended approvedEnded refusedWithdrawn, invalid or other

    Every appeal decided within 1.5 km in 10 years, any kind of development.

    CalculatedAn Coimisiún Pleanála cases linked to the council file

    Question 4

    What's changing around you?

    Street map around Castle Avenue with 12 numbered planning items
    ⌖ the houseEmpty land zoned for homesApprovedNo decision yet
    1. 10.1 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 70 m
    2. 20.2 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 87 m
    3. 30.6 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 151 m
    4. 40.1 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 192 m
    5. 51.4 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 214 m
    6. 60.3 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 215 m
    7. 7Portumna, Abbey Street 26171Approved with conditions · 129 m
    8. 8Portumna, Dominic Street 2660595Approved with conditions · 261 m
    9. 9Portumna Demesne, Portumna 26251No decision yet · 290 m
    10. 10Portumna Demesne, St Josephs road 2635Approved with conditions · 387 m
    11. 11Portumna, Clonfert Avenue 25322Approved with conditions · 453 m
    12. 12Portumna, Dominic Street 2660087Approved with conditions · 465 m
    Figure 4

    What happens to applications within 500 m

    Permission isn't building. Of 21 permissions since 2016, 5 show a start notice and 0 have a completion certificate. Most owners opt out of sign-off.

    22 applications lodged within 500 m. Council: 20 approved, 2 refused. After appeals: 21 approved. Of those: 0 signed off, 3 built with the owner's opt-out, 2 started, 14 with no start notice found, 2 ran out.LODGEDCOUNCIL DECISIONAFTER APPEALSWHAT HAPPENED NEXT20: lodged → approved2: lodged → refused20: approved → approved1: refused → refused1 refused by the council, approved after an appeal14: approved → no start notice found3: approved → built, owner opted out2: approved → started, not signed off2: approved → ran out22 lodged22 lodged20 approved20 approved2 refused2 refused21 approved21 approved1 refused1 refused14 no start notice found14 no start notice found3 built, owner opted out3 built, owner opted out2 started, not signed off2 started, not signed off2 ran out2 ran out

    Purple bands are refusals turned into permissions on appeal. "No start notice found" includes small jobs that never needed one and notices we couldn't match.

    Measured22 applications in 10 years · NPAD, An Coimisiún Pleanála, BCMS start notices and completion certificates

    Figure 5

    The next 30 days

    Nothing closes within 500 m in the next 30 days.

      Measuredcouncil registers and An Coimisiún Pleanála · deadlines worked out from the dates on file

      Sites that could change 10 within 500 m

      Empty land zoned for homes 10

      • 10.1 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 70 m
      • 20.2 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 87 m
      • 30.6 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 151 m
      • 40.1 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 192 m
      • 51.4 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 214 m
      • 60.3 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 215 m
      • 0.3 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 247 m
      • 2.7 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 265 m
      • 0.2 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 268 m
      • 1.2 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 274 m

      Not covered here: council land to be sold (Dublin only).

      Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices), Derelict sites registers, National Planning Application Database, Residential Zoned Land Tax maps · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 05:02
      SourceLicenceFetchedLink
      An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)CC BY 4.030 Oct 2026, 23:01open
      Building Control Management System (commencement notices)CC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 03:07open
      Derelict sites registersCC BY 4.026 Oct 2026, 23:09open
      National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 05:02open
      Residential Zoned Land Tax mapsCC BY 4.025 Oct 2026, 23:43open
      Figure 6

      Applications within 500 m, by year

      Between 2 and 6 a year; busiest 2022. 91% of decisions were approvals.

      2021: 6, 2022: 6, 2023: 2, 2024: 2, 2025: 2, 2026: 405102021: 6 approved6’21*2022: 5 approved2022: 1 refused6’222023: 2 approved2’232024: 1 approved2024: 1 refused2’242025: 2 approved2’252026: 4 approved4’26*
      ApprovedRefusedWithdrawn or invalidUndecided

      2021 and 2026 are part years (*). Exemption requests and time extensions are left out.

      Measuredcouncil register via NPAD

      Every application within 500 m 6 in the last 12 months

      See every application on the map

      • 9Portumna Demesne , Portumna , Co Galway No decision yet
        for change of plan of previously permitted multi-use building [refer to plan. ref. no. 23/364]; amendments to…
        2625124 Sept 2026290 m
      • 7Portumna , Abbey Street , Co. Galway Approved with conditions
        for change of use of 2 apartments to a singular residential dwelling, minor alterations to front elevation &…
        2617126 Aug 20261 homes129 m
      • 8Portumna , Dominic Street , Co. Galway Approved with conditions
        for the change of use of the existing office/commercial building to residential use, creating one overall…
        266059511 Jun 20261 homes261 m
      • 10Portumna Demesne , St Josephs road , Co. Galway Approved with conditions
        for (a) construction of a fixed metal clad spectator shelter & (b) all associated site works
        263514 Apr 2026387 m
      • 12Portumna , Dominic Street , Galway Approved with conditions
        for the construction of a new storage/warehouse facility along with ancillary site works as well as retention…
        266008719 Mar 2026465 m
      • 11Portumna , Clonfert Avenue , Co. Galway Approved with conditions
        for 1) change of use of commercial unit to dwelling 2) Minor alterations & refurbishment to existing dwelling…
        2532222 Jan 2026453 m
      How we work this out
      Descriptions are shortened by the national planning database (to 80 characters in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, 70 in Fingal), and it does not publish applicants' names.
      Sources: National Planning Application Database, An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices) · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 05:02
      SourceLicenceFetchedLink
      National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 05:02open
      An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)CC BY 4.030 Oct 2026, 23:01open
      Building Control Management System (commencement notices)CC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 03:07open
      0
      Named places nearby: estate, schemes, crèches, schools

      Named places estate, developments, inspections

      Crèches and schools inspected

      NameLatest inspectionDistance
      Busy Bodies Playschool · Crèche31 Mar 2025 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorate235 m
      Acorn to Oak Childcare · Crèche25 Feb 2026 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorateapprox. 522 m
      Fundamental Childcare · Crèche14 Jan 2025 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorate961 m
      How we work this out
      Organisations only: a person named on an application is never listed. Inspection dates and links are the publisher's; read their report for the findings.
      Sources: Department of Education school list, Tusla early years register · fetched 28 Oct 2026, 23:19
      SourceLicenceFetchedLink
      Department of Education school listCC BY 4.027 Oct 2026, 23:04open
      Tusla early years registerPublic register28 Oct 2026, 23:19open
      How busy is this area About as busy as most of Galway County Council.
      Homes approved
      Here0
      Council middle0
      Homes started
      Here5
      Council middle2
      How we work this out
      Homes approved counts schemes of 10 or more homes (one-off houses are not included). Homes started counts every home in a notice that building work was starting. The council figure is the middle value across the council's built-up squares of the same area (3.1 km², about a 1 km circle), so half of them saw more and half fewer.
      Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices), National Planning Application Database · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 05:02
      SourceLicenceFetchedLink
      An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)CC BY 4.030 Oct 2026, 23:01open
      Building Control Management System (commencement notices)CC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 03:07open
      National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 05:02open
      Question 5

      What's the area like?

      Figure 7

      This street block against the council

      44% of homes built before 1971 (council 23%). 42% owner-occupied (council 75%).

      Homes built before 1971
      44% · council 23%
      Homes built since 2001
      36% · council 39%
      Owner-occupied
      42% · council 75%
      Rented
      48% · council 18%
      Children under 15
      18% · council 21%
      Aged 65 and over
      21% · council 17%
      Households with 2+ cars
      19% · council 52%
      Work mainly from home
      7% · council 11%
      This small area (261 people)Galway

      MeasuredCSO Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics (CC BY 4.0) · small area 067188006/067188007

      Bus
      174 m
      Portumna · 322, 547, 844 · busiest stop within 500 m: 0 an hour at peak
      Nearest school
      436 m
      Portumna Community School, 506 pupils
      Schools, stops and the council

      Schools

      • Portumna Community School · postprimary · 506 pupils · 436 m
      • St Brendans Ns · primary · 235 pupils · 570 m

      Stops 4

      • Portumna · 322, 547, 844 · 174 m
      • Portumna · 322, 547, 844 · 0/hour at peak · 185 m

      Schools growing or shrinking planning in 3 years · pupils last year

      • Portumna Community School · 436 m+2.6% pupils (506) · 4 classrooms 2025, approved with conditions
      • St Brendans Ns · 570 m-2.5% pupils (235) · 4 classrooms 2025, approved with conditions
      Sources: Public transport stops and routes (NTA GTFS), Department of Education school list, National Planning Application Database, Council consultation portals, Council meetings (ModernGov), Land Development Agency public land register, cso_saps_2022, National Transport Authority, Fingal County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council development plan layers (CC BY 4.0), dartplus.ie project extents over NTA GTFS rail shapes (CC BY 4.0), EPA strategic noise maps, Fingal County Council · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 05:02
      SourceLicenceFetchedLink
      Public transport stops and routes (NTA GTFS)CC BY 4.025 Oct 2026, 23:02open
      Department of Education school listCC BY 4.027 Oct 2026, 23:04open
      National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 05:02open
      Council consultation portalsPublic1 Nov 2026, 01:08open
      Council meetings (ModernGov)Public1 Nov 2026, 02:24open
      Land Development Agency public land registerCC BY 4.011 Sept 2026, 16:43open
      cso_saps_2022CC BY 4.0—open
      National Transport AuthorityCC BY 4.0——
      Fingal County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council development plan layers (CC BY 4.0)CC BY 4.0——
      dartplus.ie project extents over NTA GTFS rail shapes (CC BY 4.0)CC BY 4.0——
      EPA strategic noise mapsCC BY 4.0——
      Fingal County CouncilCC BY 4.0——
      Question 6

      What to ask, and who

      1. Any work done without planning permission?
        Ask for: An opinion of compliance for the whole house.
        Seller · solicitor
      Reference

      Where this is, the terms, the sources

      Townland
      Portumna
      Electoral division
      Portumna
      Electoral area
      Loughrea
      Council
      Galway County Council
      Everything we found, as a list 8 lines
      • Zoned M2 (major town centre); not protected; no vacant land tax.
      • 10 sites nearby could change: 10 empty zoned plots.
      • Portumna (bus 322, 547) 185 m away: 9 a day, fewer than one an hour at morning peak.
      • Here (2022 census): 48% rent (council 18%); 21% of homes empty (council 16%); most built 2001–2010; 55% drive to work (council 66%); population up 10% since 2016.
      • The council decides in a median 54 days (about 8 weeks); 1 in 3 is asked for more information.
      • 6 applications nearby in the last 12 months; 100% approved (council 87%).
      • Portumna Community School, 436 m away: 4 classrooms approved (2025).
      • 5 homes started within 1 km in 3 years (council middle 2).
      What the terms mean 4 terms
      • Vacant land tax (Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT)): A yearly tax of 3% of the land's value on land that is zoned for homes and serviced but left unbuilt.
      • Approved (Grant of permission): The council said yes, usually with conditions.
      • Protected building (Protected structure (Record of Protected Structures)): A building the council has listed for its heritage value.
      • What the land is zoned for (Zoning objective): The council's development plan sets what each area is for: homes, shops, open space and so on.
      Sources and licences 28
      SourcePublisherLicenceFetched
      EPA strategic noise maps—CC BY 4.0—
      Fingal County Council—CC BY 4.0—
      Fingal County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council development plan layers (CC BY 4.0)—CC BY 4.0—
      National Transport Authority—CC BY 4.0—
      services-eu1.arcgis.comAn Coimisiún PleanálaCC BY 4.030 Oct 2026
      data.nbco.gov.ieNational Building Control Office (BCMS)CC BY 4.01 Nov 2026
      data.gov.ieVarious (see each layer)CC BY 4.0, CC BY-NC-ND 4.027 Sept 2026
      services-eu1.arcgis.comNational Inventory of Architectural HeritageCC BY 4.027 Sept 2026
      services-eu1.arcgis.comNational Monuments Service (SMR)CC BY 4.027 Sept 2026
      dlrcoco.citizenspace.comLocal authorities (consultation portals)Public1 Nov 2026
      www2.courts.ie—© the publisher31 Oct 2026
      cso.ie—CC BY 4.0—
      dartplus.ie project extents over NTA GTFS rail shapes (CC BY 4.0)—CC BY 4.0—
      services-eu1.arcgis.comLocal authorities (derelict sites registers)CC BY 4.026 Oct 2026
      data.epa.ieEnvironmental Protection Agency (LEAP licence register)CC BY 4.026 Oct 2026
      transportforireland.ieNational Transport AuthorityCC BY 4.025 Oct 2026
      lda.ieLand Development AgencyCC BY 4.011 Sept 2026
      meetings.fingal.ieLocal authorities (council meetings)Public1 Nov 2026
      services.arcgis.comDepartment of Housing (National Planning Application Database)CC BY 4.01 Nov 2026
      services-eu1.arcgis.comTailte ÉireannCC BY 4.011 Sept 2026
      services-eu1.arcgis.comCSO, Tailte Éireann, OpenStreetMap contributorsCC BY 4.04 Oct 2026
      propertypriceregister.ieProperty Services Regulatory Authority (PPR)© PSRA, PSI licence1 Nov 2026
      services1.arcgis.comLocal authorities (Record of Protected Structures)CC BY 4.0—
      services.arcgis.comLocal authorities (RZLT maps)CC BY 4.025 Oct 2026
      gov.ieDepartment of EducationCC BY 4.027 Oct 2026
      gov.ieDepartment of HousingCC BY-SA 4.023 Oct 2026
      tusla.ieTusla (Early Years Inspectorate)Public register28 Oct 2026
      services.arcgis.comLocal authorities via the Department of Housing (GZT / MyPlan)CC BY 4.025 Oct 2026
      Measured
      counted from a public register
      Calculated
      a rate or median we worked out from those counts
      Our classification
      we sorted it by reading each description
      Estimate
      inferred from another source (census, map data)
      Rule summary
      the law, simplified: check before relying on it
      How we work this out
      Generated 1 Nov 2026, 14:06 from the Planning Register store; nothing was fetched live. Not a legal search: the council's planning file is the record. Deadlines come from published dates under the Planning and Development Act 2000: confirm with the council before relying on them. Street map © OpenStreetMap contributors; building outlines © Overture Maps Foundation. The text version carries every figure with its source, for an AI assistant.