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Planning report · Offaly County Council · 2000 m around the house · the last 12 months · 2 Nov 2026, 04:13

R440

53.09580, -7.90646

Homes here mostly date from before 1919. Home extensions nearby almost always get approved (100%). 39 homes approved 806 m away haven't started.

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

Not held yet for Offaly County Council: council consultations.

100%of home extensions approved nearbyn=32 · 1.5 km · 10 yrs54 daystypical wait for a decisionmiddle half 53–553open for comments nearbyclose 2 Nov–16 Nov59homes approved nearby, not startednearest 770 m · 2460120

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. Here 54 days
  4. 4Appeal window4 weeks after the decision
  5. 5AppealAt An Coimisiún Pleanála
  6. 6PermissionLasts 5 years
  7. 7StartStart notice to the council. Here about 5 months after
  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 before 1919, before planning permission was needed.

Timeline from 1896: 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 1900–1918.1900191019201930194019501960197019801990200020102020Oct 1964permission neededJun 1992building regulationsMar 2014building records onlineSep 2015owners may opt out of sign-offThis houseAll of TownparksBuilt: most homes in this small area date from 1900–1918 (census estimate)most built2021: 3 files on Townparks2022: 5 files on Townparks2023: 2 files on Townparks2024: 3 files on Townparks2025: 3 files on Townparks2026: 1 file on Townparks17 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
R2
Zoning · Existing residential
Yes
Protected or listed · a protected building; a building in the national heritage inventory (14819215)
No
Vacant land tax · lived-in homes don't pay it
Zoning, protection, tax and flood: the detail
ZoningR2 · Existing residential
What it says

Existing Residential: This zoning allows for the conservation and enhancement of the quality and character of existing residential areas, to protect residential amenities and to allow for small scale infill development.

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.

birr local area plan 2023 2029 · 26 Jun 2023 – 26 Jun 2029

ZoningR2 · Existing residential
What it says

Existing Residential: This zoning allows for the conservation and enhancement of the quality and character of existing residential areas, to protect residential amenities and to allow for small scale infill development.

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.

birr local area plan 2023 2029 variation no 1 · 26 Jun 2023 – 26 Jun 2029

Protected buildingOn this site on the council's record (not republished)
Heritage inventoryOn this site house

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

Vacant land taxNo lived-in homes don't pay it
Flood riskNone mapped within 2.0 km
Within 2.0 kmCountFor example
Heritage inventory buildings308Cumberland House; house
Monuments37Historic town; 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 council's map for the vacant land tax shows this spot inside an area of existing homes. Homes people live in, and their gardens, don't pay the tax. The OPW flood map's licence lets us show a yes/no only. Land on the vacant land tax map nearby: 43 on the draft 2027 map; 40 on the final 2026 map.
Sources: Development plan zoning (councils), National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, Records of Protected Structures, Residential Zoned Land Tax maps, Constraint layers (bundle), Sites and Monuments Record · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 23:58
SourceLicenceFetchedLink
Development plan zoning (councils)CC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 23:13open
National Inventory of Architectural HeritageCC BY 4.027 Sept 2026, 19:35open
Records of Protected StructuresNo licence stated · shown as a yes/no only—open
Residential Zoned Land Tax mapsCC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 23:58open
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 2 Nov 2026, 03:19
SourceLicenceFetchedLink
Building Control Management System (commencement notices)CC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 03:19open
National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 02:02open
Question 2

Could you extend?

This is a protected building: almost any change, inside or out, needs permission.

Figure 2

What happened to applications like yours

A new house in a garden is harder: 77% approved, and 69% are asked for more information.

New house in a garden or site13 decided · more info asked 69%
77% · council 88%
Approved nearbyOffaly overall

Decided applications within 1.5 km, received in the last 10 years. The kind of work is read from each description.

CalculatedOur classificationcouncil register via NPAD · 13 nearby, 828 council-wide

Figure 3

Townparks, file by file since 2021

3 of 3 decided extensions on the road were approved. New houses in side gardens or on sites: 2 of 3.

17 planning files on Townparks since 2021, by kind and decision.202120222023202420252026Extensions, atticsNo number · 2023 · porch / front · approved · 23297No number · 2024 · other extension · approved · 2460129No number · 2025 · other extension · approved · 2560506Porches, roofs, otherNo number · 2021 · other work · approved · 21139No number · 2021 · other work · approved · 2190No number · 2022 · other work · approved · 22202No number · 2022 · other work · approved · 22356No number · 2022 · other work · approved · 22449No number · 2022 · other work · approved · 22580No number · 2023 · other work · approved · 2376No number · 2024 · other work · approved · 2460309No number · 2025 · other work · approved · 2560037No. 1 · 2025 · other work · refused · 2560496No number · 2026 · other work · approved · 2660405New house in a side gardenNo. 10 · 2021 · new house · approved · 2162310No number · 2022 · new house · refused · 2264No number · 2024 · new house · approved · 2460013
ApprovedRefusedWithdrawn or invalid

17 files with "Townparks" 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 2 Nov 2026, 02:02
    SourceLicenceFetchedLink
    National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 02:02open
    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 2 Nov 2026, 03:19
    SourceLicenceFetchedLink
    An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)CC BY 4.030 Oct 2026, 23:01open
    Building Control Management System (commencement notices)CC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 03:19open
    National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 02:02open
    Question 3

    How long, and what if someone objects?

    Figure 4

    A home extension's journey here

    A decision takes 54 days. 1 in 3 is asked for more information, which adds about 102 days. Building starts about 5 months after permission.

    Comments open: 5 weeks · €20; Council decision: 54 days; If more info asked (1 in 3): 155 days; Appeal window: 4 weeks; Building starts: 144 days after permission0 mo3 mo6 mo9 mo12 mo15 mo18 moComments openComments close 5 weeks after the application is lodged5 weeks · €20Council decisionDecision: median 54 days, middle half 53–55 (n=20)54 daysIf more info asked (1 in 3)With further information: median 155 days (n=12)155 daysAppeal windowAnyone who commented can appeal within 4 weeks of the decision4 weeksBuilding startsStart notice: median 144 days after permission (n=8)144 days after permissionSigned off75% of owners opt out of sign-off

    Bars are medians; whiskers show the middle half. Medians of separate steps don't add up exactly.

    Calculated32 decided home extensions, 8 start notices · within 1.5 km, 10 years · NPAD, BCMS, An Coimisiún Pleanála

    Figure 5

    What appeals changed

    1 of 1 appealed refusals became permissions. 1 of 4 appealed approvals were reversed.

    Refusals appealed1 decided
    1 became permissions
    Approvals appealed4 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

    Appeals nearby 5 in the last 12 months
    • 501797 Pending · BRIDGE STREET AND MOORPARK STREET , BIRR , CO.OFFALY · 543 m
    • 501779 Invalid · BRIDGE STREET AND MOORPARK STREET , BIRR , CO.OFFALY · 543 m
    • 324279 Pending · located within the townlands of located within the townlands of… · 849 m
    • 324220 Withdrawn · located within the townlands of Cloonaheen, Ballincor Demesne and… · 849 m
    • 323980 Pending · in the counties of Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Offaly, Kildare, and… · 1.2 km
    Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Courts Service legal diary (judicial reviews), National Planning Application Database · fetched 2 Nov 2026, 02:02
    SourceLicenceFetchedLink
    An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)CC BY 4.030 Oct 2026, 23:01open
    Courts Service legal diary (judicial reviews)© the publisher1 Nov 2026, 23:13open
    National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 02:02open
    Question 4

    What's changing around you?

    Street map around R440 with 15 numbered planning items
    ⌖ the houseOpen for commentsApproved, not startedEmpty land zoned for homesApprovedNo decision yet
    1. 1Main Street, Birr 2660535No decision yet · 456 m
    2. 2CLONOGHILL LOWER, BIRR 2686No decision yet · 1.3 km
    3. 3ROSCREA ROAD, SEFFIN BIRR 2688No decision yet · 1.4 km
    4. 4Railway Road Townparks & Seffin 2460122Approved, no sign building has started · 777 m
    5. 5Nos. 15-20 Woodlands Park fronting Burke’s Hill 2560186Approved, no sign building has started · 806 m
    6. 62.2 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 101 m
    7. 73.2 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 110 m
    8. 80.2 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 323 m
    9. 90.6 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 328 m
    10. 101.3 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 361 m
    11. 110.1 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 479 m
    12. 12NO. 3 & 5 EMMET STREET, BIRR 2619Approved with conditions · 234 m
    13. 13Doolys Hotel Emmet Square, Birr 2560655Approved with conditions · 244 m
    14. 14Scurragh, Townparks 2660405Approved with conditions · 265 m
    15. 15EMMET SQUARE AND TO THE RETURN JUNCTION OF O'CONNELL STREET, TOWNPARKS BIRR 2662No decision yet · 314 m
    Figure 6

    What happens to applications within 500 m

    Permission isn't building. Of 38 permissions since 2016, 15 show a start notice and 1 has a completion certificate. Most owners opt out of sign-off.

    42 applications lodged within 500 m. Council: 39 approved, 3 refused. After appeals: 38 approved. Of those: 1 signed off, 8 built with the owner's opt-out, 6 started, 20 with no start notice found, 3 ran out.LODGEDCOUNCIL DECISIONAFTER APPEALSWHAT HAPPENED NEXT39: lodged → approved3: lodged → refused38: approved → approved3: refused → refused1 approved by the council, refused after an appeal20: approved → no start notice found8: approved → built, owner opted out6: approved → started, not signed off1: approved → signed off3: approved → ran out42 lodged42 lodged39 approved39 approved3 refused3 refused38 approved38 approved4 refused4 refused20 no start notice found20 no start notice found8 built, owner opted out8 built, owner opted out6 started, not signed off6 started, not signed off1 signed off1 signed off3 ran out3 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.

    Measured42 applications in 10 years · NPAD, An Coimisiún Pleanála, BCMS start notices and completion certificates

    Figure 7

    The next 30 days

    3 deadlines within 2.0 km; the first closes 2 Nov 2026.

    3 deadlines in the next 30 days: 2026-11-02 2686: application received — NEW DWELLING HOUSE, DOMESTIC GARAGE/ FUEL SHED, INSTALL SEPTIC TANK WITH PERCOLATION AREA AND ALL ANCIALLRY SITE WORKS; 2026-11-09 2688: application received — OF A TWO-STOREY TEMPORARY OFFICE ACCOMMODATION CABIN TO THE EAST OF THE EXISTING OFFICE BUILDING. THE DEVELOPMENT FOR PE; 2026-11-16 2660535: application received — the change of use of the existing bakery to a food takeaway, comprising demolition of the existing rear portion of the ptoday7 Nov12 Nov17 Nov22 Nov27 Nov2 Dec2686: application received — NEW DWELLING HOUSE, DOMESTIC GARAGE/ FUEL SHED, INSTALL SEPTIC TANK WITH PERCOLATION AREA AND ALL ANCIALLRY SITE WORKS · 1.3 km away · 2026-11-022688: application received — OF A TWO-STOREY TEMPORARY OFFICE ACCOMMODATION CABIN TO THE EAST OF THE EXISTING OFFICE BUILDING. THE DEVELOPMENT FOR PE · 1.4 km away · 2026-11-092660535: application received — the change of use of the existing bakery to a food takeaway, comprising demolition of the existing rear portion of the p · 456 m away · 2026-11-16
    Comments close
    • Comments close 2 Nov 2026closes today
      22686 · application received — NEW DWELLING HOUSE, DOMESTIC GARAGE/ FUEL SHED, INSTALL SEPTIC TANK WITH PERCOLATION AREA AND…
      €20 to the council · 1.3 km away
    • Comments close 9 Nov 20267 days left
      32688 · application received — OF A TWO-STOREY TEMPORARY OFFICE ACCOMMODATION CABIN TO THE EAST OF THE EXISTING OFFICE…
      €20 to the council · 1.4 km away
    • Comments close 16 Nov 202614 days left
      12660535 · application received — the change of use of the existing bakery to a food takeaway, comprising demolition of the…
      €20 to the council · 456 m away

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

    Figure 8

    Approved, stalled or planned, not built yet

    39 homes 806 m away were approved Feb 2026 with no start notice yet; the permission runs to Feb 2031.

    Nos. 15-20 Woodlands Park… · 39 homes: 39 homes approved Feb 2026, not started; Railway Road Townparks &… · 20 homes: 20 homes approved Apr 2025, not started202420252026202720282029203020312032Nos. 15-20 Woodlands Park… · 39 homes806 m · 256018639 homes approved Feb 2026, not started39 homes approved Feb 2026, not startedRailway Road Townparks &… · 20 homes777 m · 246012220 homes approved Apr 2025, not started20 homes approved Apr 2025, not startedtoday

    Each row is a dated fact from a public register: no score and no forecast.

    Measuredcouncil registers, BCMS, derelict sites registers, development plan layers (CC BY 4.0)

    Sites that could change 12 within 2.0 km

    Approved, not started 2

    Empty land zoned for homes 10

    • 62.2 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 101 m
    • 73.2 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 110 m
    • 80.2 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 323 m
    • 90.6 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 328 m
    • 101.3 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 361 m
    • 110.1 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 479 m
    • 0.1 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 539 m
    • 0.8 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 600 m
    • 1.7 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 611 m
    • 0.4 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 612 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 2 Nov 2026, 03:19
    SourceLicenceFetchedLink
    An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)CC BY 4.030 Oct 2026, 23:01open
    Building Control Management System (commencement notices)CC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 03:19open
    Derelict sites registersCC BY 4.026 Oct 2026, 23:09open
    National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 02:02open
    Residential Zoned Land Tax mapsCC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 23:58open
    Figure 9

    Applications within 500 m, by year

    Between 6 and 11 a year; busiest 2022. 93% of decisions were approvals.

    2021: 6, 2022: 11, 2023: 7, 2024: 6, 2025: 9, 2026: 3051015202021: 6 approved6’21*2022: 11 approved11’222023: 7 approved7’232024: 6 approved6’242025: 6 approved2025: 3 refused9’252026: 3 approved3’26*
    ApprovedRefusedWithdrawn or invalidUndecided

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

    Measuredcouncil register via NPAD

    Open for comments €20 to comment

    • 2CLONOGHILL LOWER , BIRR , CO.OFFALY comments close 2 Nov 2026
      NEW DWELLING HOUSE, DOMESTIC GARAGE/ FUEL SHED, INSTALL SEPTIC TANK WITH PERCOLATION AREA AND ALL ANCIALLRY…
      268628 Sept 20261.3 km
    • 3ROSCREA ROAD , SEFFIN BIRR , CO.OFFALY comments close 9 Nov 2026
      OF A TWO-STOREY TEMPORARY OFFICE ACCOMMODATION CABIN TO THE EAST OF THE EXISTING OFFICE BUILDING. THE…
      26885 Oct 20261.4 km
    • 1Main Street , Birr , Co Offaly comments close 16 Nov 2026
      the change of use of the existing bakery to a food takeaway, comprising demolition of the existing rear…
      266053512 Oct 2026456 m
    Every application within 2.0 km 37 in the last 12 months

    See every application on the map

    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 2 Nov 2026, 03:19
    SourceLicenceFetchedLink
    National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 02:02open
    An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)CC BY 4.030 Oct 2026, 23:01open
    Building Control Management System (commencement notices)CC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 03:19open
    Building work nearby 10 in the last 12 months
    4 not signed off6 no sign-off needed
    • 12 Castle Street, Birr, Offaly, R42 H426 · 18 Sept 2026 · 2 homes · 7-day notice not signed off · 527 m
    • Ballyloughnane, Riverstown, Birr, Tipperary · 14 Sept 2026 · short notice no sign-off needed · 2560905 · 1.9 km
    • Hillside, Hillside Downs, Offaly, R42F820 · 13 Aug 2026 · 1 homes · start notice, opted out no sign-off needed · 2641 · 1.3 km
    • Railway Road, Birr, Offaly, R42 FC98 · 3 Aug 2026 · start notice not signed off · 709 m
    • 1 N52, Birr, Offaly, R42KC56 · 8 May 2026 · 7-day notice not signed off · 25/60655 · 246 m
    • 54 Corr Na Meala, birr, Offaly · 5 May 2026 · 220 homes · start notice not signed off · 24/60120 · 882 m
    • Clonoghill Upper, Birr, Offaly · 9 Mar 2026 · 1 homes · start notice, opted out no sign-off needed · 25/60381 · 1.5 km
    • 3 A Newbridge Street, Birr, Offaly, R42 P527 · 13 Feb 2026 · 1 homes · start notice, opted out no sign-off needed · 2560046 · 76 m
    • Walcot, Rosse Row, Birr, Offaly · 5 Jan 2026 · short notice no sign-off needed · 24/161 · 508 m
    • Walcot, Rosse Row, Birr, Offaly, R42 D459 · 5 Jan 2026 · 1 homes · start notice, opted out no sign-off needed · 24/161 · 511 m
    How we work this out
    Each row is a notice the builder sent to the council's building control office before work started. One notice can cover many homes. 'Signed off as finished' means a completion certificate is on file; work done under an opt-out or a short notice doesn't need one.
    Source: Building Control Management System (commencement notices) · fetched 2 Nov 2026, 03:19
    SourceLicenceFetchedLink
    Building Control Management System (commencement notices)CC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 03:19open
    Homes coming 59 not started
    How we work this out
    Schemes of 10 or more homes approved since 2021, from the council and An Coimisiún Pleanála registers. 'Building started' means the builder told the council's building control office that work was starting (a commencement notice).
    Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices), National Planning Application Database, Social housing construction status report · fetched 2 Nov 2026, 03:19
    SourceLicenceFetchedLink
    An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)CC BY 4.030 Oct 2026, 23:01open
    Building Control Management System (commencement notices)CC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 03:19open
    National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 02:02open
    Social housing construction status reportCC BY-SA 4.023 Oct 2026, 23:02open
    Named places nearby: estate, schemes, crèches, schools

    Named places estate, developments, inspections

    Crèches and schools inspected

    NameLatest inspectionDistance
    Playdays Nature School · Crèche8 Feb 2024 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorate323 m
    Naíonra Nóiníní Beaga · Crèche4 Dec 2024 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorate825 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 Busier than most of Offaly County Council.
    Homes approved
    Here117
    Council middle0
    Homes started
    Here256
    Council middle1
    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 2 Nov 2026, 03:19
    SourceLicenceFetchedLink
    An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)CC BY 4.030 Oct 2026, 23:01open
    Building Control Management System (commencement notices)CC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 03:19open
    National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 02:02open
    Question 5

    What's the area like?

    Figure 10

    This street block against the council

    88% of homes built before 1971 (council 30%). 60% owner-occupied (council 72%).

    Homes built before 1971
    88% · council 30%
    Homes built since 2001
    8% · council 34%
    Owner-occupied
    60% · council 72%
    Rented
    36% · council 22%
    Children under 15
    14% · council 21%
    Aged 65 and over
    22% · council 16%
    Households with 2+ cars
    32% · council 47%
    Work mainly from home
    13% · council 8%
    This small area (161 people)Offaly

    MeasuredCSO Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics (CC BY 4.0) · small area 187013011

    Bus
    271 m
    Birr · 323X, 72, 823 · busiest stop within 500 m: 2 an hour at peak
    Nearest school
    379 m
    Mercy Primary School, 141 pupils
    Schools, stops and the council

    Schools

    • Mercy Primary School · primary · 141 pupils · 379 m
    • St Brendans Monastery · primary · 178 pupils · 703 m
    • S N Osmann · primary · 86 pupils · 735 m
    • Gaelscoil na Laochra · primary · 45 pupils · 1.1 km
    • St.Brendan's Community School · postprimary · 875 pupils · 1.2 km
    • Croinchoill NS · primary · 243 pupils · 1.9 km

    Stops 6

    • Birr · 323X, 72, 823, 843, 844, 845 · 2/hour at peak · 271 m
    • Birr · 323X, 72, 823, 843, 844, 845 · 2/hour at peak · 293 m
    • McAuley Drive · 843, 845, 847, UM02 · 681 m
    • McAuley Drive · 843, 845, 847, UM02 · 1/hour at peak · 692 m
    • Tullamore Road · 823 · 0/hour at peak · 796 m
    • Tullamore Road · 823 · 796 m

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

    • Mercy Primary School · 379 m+1.4% pupils (141)
    • St Brendans Monastery · 703 m-5.8% pupils (178)
    • S N Osmann · 735 m0% pupils (86) · an extension 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 2 Nov 2026, 02:27
    SourceLicenceFetchedLink
    Public transport stops and routes (NTA GTFS)CC BY 4.01 Nov 2026, 23:05open
    Department of Education school listCC BY 4.027 Oct 2026, 23:04open
    National Planning Application DatabaseCC BY 4.02 Nov 2026, 02:02open
    Council consultation portalsPublic2 Nov 2026, 01:11open
    Council meetings (ModernGov)Public2 Nov 2026, 02:27open
    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. Protected building: what changes would you be allowed?
      Ask for: A section 57 declaration from the council.
      Council
    2. Application 456 m away open for comments until 16 Nov 2026: comment?
      Ask for: The plans on the council's website (€20 to comment).
      Council
    3. 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
    Townparks
    Electoral division
    Birr Urban
    Electoral area
    Birr
    Council
    Offaly County Council
    Everything we found, as a list 8 lines
    • Zoned R2 (existing residential); protected building; heritage-listed; no vacant land tax.
    • 12 sites nearby could change: 2 approved schemes, 10 empty zoned plots.
    • 3 applications open for comments nearby; nearest closes 16 Nov 2026.
    • 59 homes approved nearby, not started; largest 39 at Nos. 15-20 Woodlands Park fronting….
    • Birr (bus 323X, 72) 293 m away: 2 an hour at morning peak; 4 from all stops within 500 m.
    • Here (2022 census): 60% owner-occupied (council 72%); 22% of homes empty (council 8%); most built before 1919; 49% drive to work (council 65%); population up 7% since 2016.
    • The council decides in a median 77 days (about 11 weeks); 50% are asked for more information.
    • Homes started within 1 km: 4 in the last year, 233 three years before.
    What the terms mean 8 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.
    • Building started (Commencement notice (BCMS)): The builder must tell the council's building control office 14 to 28 days before work starts.
    • Signed off as finished (Certificate of Compliance on Completion): A certificate filed when a building is finished, confirming it meets the building regulations.
    • 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.
    • Comment on an application (Observation / submission): Anyone can comment on a planning application within five weeks of it being lodged, for a €20 fee.
    • Appeal (Appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála): The applicant, or anyone who commented in time, can appeal the council's decision within four weeks.
    • 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 27
    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 4.02 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)Public2 Nov 2026
    www2.courts.ie—© the publisher1 Nov 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
    transportforireland.ieNational Transport AuthorityCC BY 4.01 Nov 2026
    lda.ieLand Development AgencyCC BY 4.011 Sept 2026
    meetings.fingal.ieLocal authorities (council meetings)Public2 Nov 2026
    services.arcgis.comDepartment of Housing (National Planning Application Database)CC BY 4.02 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 licence2 Nov 2026
    services-eu1.arcgis.comLocal authorities (Record of Protected Structures)No licence stated · flag only—
    services.arcgis.comLocal authorities (RZLT maps)CC BY 4.01 Nov 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 4.01 Nov 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 2 Nov 2026, 04:13 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.