Ardbear Cottages, Ardbear, Clifden ED, Conamara Municipal District, County Galway, Connacht, Éire / Ireland
Homes here mostly date from the 1980s. 28 homes approved 178 m away haven't started.
Not held yet for Galway County Council: council consultations.
How planning works, with this area's numbers
steps can overlap · medians for home extensions within 1.5 km, 10 years- 1ApplySite notice up, plans online
- 2Comments5 weeks, €20. Comment to keep your right to appeal
- 3Decision8 weeks by law. Here 52 days
- 4Appeal window4 weeks after the decision
- 5AppealAt An Coimisiún Pleanála
- 6PermissionLasts 5 years
- 7StartStart notice to the council
- 8Sign-offCompletion cert, or the owner opts out
What's the planning story of this house?
When it was built, and the rules since
Most homes here were built 1981–90, after planning permission began and before building regulations (1992).
Each line is a rule that applies to work done after it.
MeasuredEstimatecouncil register via NPAD · build years: CSO Census 2022, small area
Zoning, protection, tax and flood: the detail
What it says
Residential Existing: To protect and improve residential amenities of existing residential areas
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.
galway county development plan 2022 2028 · 20 Jun 2022 – 19 Jun 2028
Not on this site: protected building, heritage inventory, 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: Clifden (366 m)
| Within 500 m | Count | For example |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage inventory buildings | 1 | Malmore |
| Monuments | 6 | Religious house - unclassified; Burial ground |
How we work this out
Sources: Development plan zoning (councils), EPA licensed facilities (LEAP), Residential Zoned Land Tax maps, Constraint layers (bundle), National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, Sites and Monuments Record · fetched 26 Oct 2026, 23:21
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development plan zoning (councils) | CC BY 4.0 | 25 Oct 2026, 23:06 | open |
| EPA licensed facilities (LEAP) | CC BY 4.0 | 26 Oct 2026, 23:21 | open |
| Residential Zoned Land Tax maps | CC BY 4.0 | 25 Oct 2026, 23:43 | open |
| Constraint layers (bundle) | CC BY 4.0, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | 27 Sept 2026, 19:37 | open |
| National Inventory of Architectural Heritage | CC BY 4.0 | 27 Sept 2026, 19:35 | open |
| Sites and Monuments Record | CC BY 4.0 | 27 Sept 2026, 19:29 | open |
How we work this out
Sources: Building Control Management System (commencement notices), National Planning Application Database · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 02:01
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 31 Oct 2026, 02:56 | open |
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026, 02:01 | open |
Could you extend?
Nothing on this site restricts it: not protected, not in a conservation area.
What happened to applications like yours
A new house in a garden is harder: 40% approved, and 1 in 10 is asked for more information.
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 · 10 nearby, 3,279 council-wide
Ardbear, file by file since 2021
1 of 1 decided extensions on the road were approved. New houses in side gardens or on sites: 1 of 3.
9 files with "Ardbear" 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
Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices), National Planning Application Database · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 02:01
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed) | CC BY 4.0 | 30 Oct 2026, 23:01 | open |
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 31 Oct 2026, 02:56 | open |
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026, 02:01 | open |
How long, and what if someone objects?
A home extension's journey here
A decision takes 52 days. 1 in 2 is asked for more information, which adds about 127 days.
Bars are medians; whiskers show the middle half. Medians of separate steps don't add up exactly.
Calculated22 decided home extensions, 7 start notices · within 1.5 km, 10 years · NPAD, BCMS, An Coimisiún Pleanála
What appeals changed
2 of 2 appealed refusals became permissions. 1 of 1 appealed approvals were reversed.
Every appeal decided within 1.5 km in 10 years, any kind of development.
CalculatedAn Coimisiún Pleanála cases linked to the council file
What's changing around you?
- 1Ardbear, Clifden 26213
- 2Ardbear 212264
- 34.7 ha zoned for homes
- 41.0 ha zoned for homes
- 51.7 ha zoned for homes
- 60.3 ha zoned for homes
- 70.2 ha zoned for homes
- 80.3 ha zoned for homes
- 9Ardbear, Clifden 2660453
- 10Ardbear 2629
- 11Ardbear, Clifden 2660421
The next 30 days
1 deadline within 500 m; the first closes 2 Nov 2026.
- Time to appeal ends 2 Nov 20261 day left126213 · CONDITIONAL — of planning reference 21/1205, development consists of a single storey extension to the west of the…€220 to An Coimisiún Pleanála (€110 observer) · 286 m away
Measuredcouncil registers and An Coimisiún Pleanála · deadlines worked out from the dates on file
Approved, stalled or planned, not built yet
28 homes 178 m away were approved May 2022 with no start notice yet; the permission runs to May 2030.
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 11 within 500 m
Approved, not started 1
- Ardbear · 28 homes approved May 2022, not started · 178 m
Empty land zoned for homes 10
- 34.7 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 31 m
- 41.0 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 57 m
- 51.7 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 87 m
- 60.3 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 153 m
- 70.2 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 205 m
- 80.3 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 220 m
- 0.3 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 225 m
- 0.3 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 311 m
- 0.2 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 332 m
- 1.0 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 0 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, 02:01
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed) | CC BY 4.0 | 30 Oct 2026, 23:01 | open |
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 31 Oct 2026, 02:56 | open |
| Derelict sites registers | CC BY 4.0 | 26 Oct 2026, 23:09 | open |
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026, 02:01 | open |
| Residential Zoned Land Tax maps | CC BY 4.0 | 25 Oct 2026, 23:43 | open |
Applications within 500 m, by year
Between 2 and 3 a year; busiest 2022. 88% of decisions were approvals.
2021 and 2026 are part years (*). Exemption requests and time extensions are left out.
Measuredcouncil register via NPAD
Every application within 500 m 5 in the last 12 months
See every application on the map
- 1Ardbear , Clifden , County Galway Approved with conditionsof planning reference 21/1205, development consists of a single storey extension to the west of the school…
- 9Ardbear , Clifden , Co. Galway No decision yetfor new veterinary clinic building and yard, sewage treatment plant and percolation area, internal road and…
- 11Ardbear , Clifden , Co Galway Approved with conditionsfor the construction of a new slatted shed as well as all associated works & ancillary services
- 10Ardbear , Approvedof planning ref 20/1182 for 1) a new vehicular & pedestrian entrance/exit from / to the R341, 2) New internal…
- Ardbear , Approvedfor a residential development which will consist of 28 no. two-storey detached residential units (7 no. 4-bed…
How we work this out
Sources: National Planning Application Database, An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices) · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 02:01
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026, 02:01 | open |
| An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed) | CC BY 4.0 | 30 Oct 2026, 23:01 | open |
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 31 Oct 2026, 02:56 | open |
Building work nearby 1 in the last 12 months
- Ardbear, Ardbear Cottages, Galway, H71 W673 · 22 Jun 2026 · start notice not signed off · 21/1205 · 363 m
How we work this out
Source: Building Control Management System (commencement notices) · fetched 31 Oct 2026, 02:56
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 31 Oct 2026, 02:56 | open |
Homes coming 28 not started
- 2Ardbear · 28 homes · not started · runs out 8 May 2030 · 178 m
How we work this out
Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices), National Planning Application Database, Social housing construction status report · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 02:01
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed) | CC BY 4.0 | 30 Oct 2026, 23:01 | open |
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 31 Oct 2026, 02:56 | open |
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026, 02:01 | open |
| Social housing construction status report | CC BY-SA 4.0 | 23 Oct 2026, 23:02 | open |
Named places nearby: estate, schemes, crèches, schools
How busy is this area About as busy as most of Galway County Council.
How we work this out
Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices), National Planning Application Database · fetched 1 Nov 2026, 02:01
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed) | CC BY 4.0 | 30 Oct 2026, 23:01 | open |
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 31 Oct 2026, 02:56 | open |
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026, 02:01 | open |
What's the area like?
This street block against the council
76% owner-occupied (council 75%).
MeasuredCSO Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics (CC BY 4.0) · small area 067059005
Schools, stops and the council
Schools
- Scoil Phobail · postprimary · 489 pupils · 362 m
Stops 1
- Clifden · 419, 423, 432, 923 · 2/hour at peak · 794 m
Schools growing or shrinking planning in 3 years · pupils last year
- Scoil Phobail · 362 m-1% pupils (489) · a sports hall 2026, 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, 02:24
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public transport stops and routes (NTA GTFS) | CC BY 4.0 | 25 Oct 2026, 23:02 | open |
| Department of Education school list | CC BY 4.0 | 27 Oct 2026, 23:04 | open |
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026, 02:01 | open |
| Council consultation portals | Public | 1 Nov 2026, 01:08 | open |
| Council meetings (ModernGov) | Public | 1 Nov 2026, 02:24 | open |
| Land Development Agency public land register | CC BY 4.0 | 11 Sept 2026, 16:43 | open |
| cso_saps_2022 | CC BY 4.0 | — | open |
| National Transport Authority | CC 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 maps | CC BY 4.0 | — | — |
| Fingal County Council | CC BY 4.0 | — | — |
What to ask, and who
- On the vacant land tax map: is the 3% tax being paid?SolicitorAsk for: Your solicitor's check of liability or exemption.
- 28 homes approved 178 m away (Ardbear), not started: what is planned?CouncilAsk for: The planning file for 212264.
- Any work done without planning permission?Seller · solicitorAsk for: An opinion of compliance for the whole house.
Where this is, the terms, the sources
- Townland
- Ardbear
- Electoral division
- Clifden
- Electoral area
- Conamara North
- Council
- Galway County Council
Everything we found, as a list 8 lines
- Zoned R2 (existing residential); not protected; on the vacant land tax map.
- 11 sites nearby could change: 1 approved scheme, 10 empty zoned plots.
- 28 homes approved nearby, not started; largest 28 at Ardbear.
- No morning-peak service within 500 m; nearest is Clifden, 794 m away (2 an hour).
- Here (2022 census): 76% owner-occupied (council 75%); 42% of homes empty (council 16%); most built 1981–1990; 47% drive to work (council 66%); population down 5% since 2016.
- The council decides in a median 54 days (about 8 weeks); 1 in 3 is asked for more information.
- 5 applications nearby in the last 12 months.
- Scoil Phobail, 362 m away: a sports hall approved (2026).
What the terms mean 6 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.
- 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 26
| Source | Publisher | Licence | Fetched |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.com | An Coimisiún Pleanála | CC BY 4.0 | 30 Oct 2026 |
| data.nbco.gov.ie | National Building Control Office (BCMS) | CC BY 4.0 | 31 Oct 2026 |
| data.gov.ie | Various (see each layer) | CC BY 4.0, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | 27 Sept 2026 |
| services-eu1.arcgis.com | National Inventory of Architectural Heritage | CC BY 4.0 | 27 Sept 2026 |
| services-eu1.arcgis.com | National Monuments Service (SMR) | CC BY 4.0 | 27 Sept 2026 |
| dlrcoco.citizenspace.com | Local authorities (consultation portals) | Public | 1 Nov 2026 |
| www2.courts.ie | — | © the publisher | 31 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.com | Local authorities (derelict sites registers) | CC BY 4.0 | 26 Oct 2026 |
| data.epa.ie | Environmental Protection Agency (LEAP licence register) | CC BY 4.0 | 26 Oct 2026 |
| transportforireland.ie | National Transport Authority | CC BY 4.0 | 25 Oct 2026 |
| lda.ie | Land Development Agency | CC BY 4.0 | 11 Sept 2026 |
| meetings.fingal.ie | Local authorities (council meetings) | Public | 1 Nov 2026 |
| services.arcgis.com | Department of Housing (National Planning Application Database) | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026 |
| services-eu1.arcgis.com | Tailte Éireann | CC BY 4.0 | 11 Sept 2026 |
| services-eu1.arcgis.com | CSO, Tailte Éireann, OpenStreetMap contributors | CC BY 4.0 | 4 Oct 2026 |
| propertypriceregister.ie | Property Services Regulatory Authority (PPR) | © PSRA, PSI licence | 1 Nov 2026 |
| services.arcgis.com | Local authorities (RZLT maps) | CC BY 4.0 | 25 Oct 2026 |
| gov.ie | Department of Education | CC BY 4.0 | 27 Oct 2026 |
| gov.ie | Department of Housing | CC BY-SA 4.0 | 23 Oct 2026 |
| services.arcgis.com | Local authorities via the Department of Housing (GZT / MyPlan) | CC BY 4.0 | 25 Oct 2026 |