Planning report · Ireland · 500 m around the house · the last 12 months · 20 Oct 2026, 00:45

21-23 Lower Main Street, Buncrana

55.13338, -7.45331

Homes here mostly date from before 1919. 4 planning files on this house, the latest from 2020. Home extensions nearby almost always get approved (94%).

See on the map Watch this area

Distance

250 m 500 m 1 km 2 km

Time

12 months 2 years 5 years

4planning files on this houselatest 2020 94%of home extensions approved nearbyn=87 · 1.5 km · 10 yrs 50 daystypical wait for a decisionmiddle half 45–53 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

1ApplySite notice up, plans online
2Comments5 weeks, €20. Comment to keep your right to appeal
3Decision8 weeks by law. Here 50 days
4Appeal window4 weeks after the decision
5AppealAt An Coimisiún Pleanála
6PermissionLasts 5 years
7StartStart notice to the council. Here about 9 months after
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. 4 planning files on this house, the latest from 2021.

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

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

2021
2051940 · demolition · approved 2021 · work already done
approvedstartedsigned off?
2020
2050492 · extension · approved 2020 · ran out unbuilt
approvedstartedsigned off
2020
2050375 · extension · withdrawn
approved?started?signed off?
2019
1851900 · extension · approved 2019 · ran out unbuilt
approvedstartedsigned off

On this site

Protected or listed · on the council's list

Vacant land tax · not on the map

Zoning, protection, tax and flood: the detail

No zoning in the plans we hold.

Heritage inventory6 within 100 m post box; Buncrana Courthouse

Not on this site: protected building, 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: Buncrana (706 m); Fruit of the Loom International Limited (837 m)

Vacant land taxNo not on the map

Flood riskNone mapped within 500 m

Within 500 m	Count	For example
Heritage inventory buildings	46	Cloneen; Melbourne House
Monuments	1	Cist

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: 88 on the draft 2027 map; 87 on the final 2026 map.

Sources: Development plan zoning (councils), National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, EPA licensed facilities (LEAP), Residential Zoned Land Tax maps, Constraint layers (bundle), Sites and Monuments Record · fetched 19 Oct 2026, 23:51

Source	Licence	Fetched	Link
Development plan zoning (councils)	CC BY 4.0	18 Oct 2026, 23:24	open
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage	CC BY 4.0	27 Sept 2026, 19:35	open
EPA licensed facilities (LEAP)	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 23:51	open
Residential Zoned Land Tax maps	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 00:29	open
Constraint layers (bundle)	CC BY 4.0, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0	27 Sept 2026, 19:37	open
Sites and Monuments Record	CC BY 4.0	27 Sept 2026, 19:29	open

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 19 Oct 2026, 02:08

Source	Licence	Fetched	Link
Building Control Management System (commencement notices)	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 01:33	open
National Planning Application Database	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 02:08	open

Question 2

Could you extend?

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

Figure 2

What happened to applications like yours

Extensions are almost always approved here: 100% by type. A new house in a garden is harder: 96% approved, and 1 in 4 is asked for more information.

Two-storey rear14 decided · more info asked 29%

100% · council 95%

New house in a garden or site74 decided · more info asked 24%

96% · council 90%

Approved nearbyDONEGAL 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 · 88 nearby, 5,859 council-wide

Figure 3

Ardaravan, file by file since 2017

32 of 34 decided extensions on the road were approved. New houses in side gardens or on sites: 14 of 14.

ApprovedRefusedWithdrawn or invalid

108 files with "Ardaravan" 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 · 2017–2026

Extensions and refusals right beside you 1 within 250 m · 0 refused within 100 m

Extensions and refusals near you 1 extensions within 250 m · the last 12 months

1 refused

Kind	Applied	Approved	Refused
Other	1	0	1

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 19 Oct 2026, 02:08

Source	Licence	Fetched	Link
National Planning Application Database	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 02:08	open
An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)	CC BY 4.0	16 Oct 2026, 23:06	open

Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices), National Planning Application Database · fetched 19 Oct 2026, 02:08

Source	Licence	Fetched	Link
An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)	CC BY 4.0	16 Oct 2026, 23:06	open
Building Control Management System (commencement notices)	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 01:33	open
National Planning Application Database	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 02:08	open

Question 3

How long, and what if someone objects?

Figure 4

A home extension's journey here

A decision takes 50 days. 1 in 6 is asked for more information, which adds about 130 days. Building starts about 9 months after permission.

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

Calculated87 decided home extensions, 17 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. 4 of 8 appealed approvals were reversed.

Refusals appealed1 decided

1 became permissions

Approvals appealed8 decided

4 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 1 in the last 12 months

500954 Pending · Ardaravan, Buncrana, Lifford Po, Co. Donegal · 394 m

Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Courts Service legal diary (judicial reviews), National Planning Application Database · fetched 19 Oct 2026, 02:08

Source	Licence	Fetched	Link
An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)	CC BY 4.0	16 Oct 2026, 23:06	open
Courts Service legal diary (judicial reviews)	© the publisher	19 Oct 2026, 01:37	open
National Planning Application Database	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 02:08	open

Question 4

What's changing around you?

Street map around 21-23 Lower Main Street, Buncrana with 15 numbered planning items — ⌖ the houseRefusedEmpty land zoned for homesNo decision yetApproved

1MARKET SQUARE, ARDARAVAN 2660071Refused · 141 m
20.1 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 26 m
31.0 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 60 m
40.5 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 85 m
50.3 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 110 m
60.4 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 162 m
70.7 ha zoned for homesEmpty land zoned for homes · 164 m
8MCCARTERS ROAD, BUNCRANA 2661359No decision yet · 61 m
9ST ORAN'S ROAD, ARDARAVAN 2562045Approved with conditions · 83 m
10ST. HELEN'S, ST. ORAN'S ROAD 2661280Approved with conditions · 105 m
11ARDARAVAN, BUNCRANA 2660633No decision yet · 120 m
12REAR OF MILLBRAE, ARDARAVAN 2660016Approved with conditions · 156 m
139 ST. ORAN'S PARK, ARDARAVAN 2562254Approved with conditions · 366 m
14LOOKING GLASS BRAE, BALLYMACARRY LOWER 2661369No decision yet · 374 m
15COCKHILL RD, ARDARAVAN 2562181Approved with conditions · 393 m

Figure 6

What happens to applications within 500 m

Permission isn't building. Of 126 permissions since 2016, 23 show a start notice and 4 have a completion certificate.

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.

Measured145 applications in 10 years · NPAD, An Coimisiún Pleanála, BCMS start notices and completion certificates

Figure 7

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

20.1 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 26 m
31.0 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 60 m
40.5 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 85 m
50.3 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 110 m
60.4 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 162 m
70.7 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 164 m
0.2 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 176 m
1.6 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 183 m
0.2 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 184 m
1.6 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 186 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 19 Oct 2026, 23:17

Source	Licence	Fetched	Link
An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)	CC BY 4.0	16 Oct 2026, 23:06	open
Building Control Management System (commencement notices)	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 01:33	open
Derelict sites registers	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 23:17	open
National Planning Application Database	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 02:08	open
Residential Zoned Land Tax maps	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 00:29	open

Figure 8

Applications within 500 m, by year

Between 11 and 23 a year; busiest 2022. 90% of decisions were approvals.

ApprovedRefusedWithdrawn or invalidUndecided

2017 and 2026 are part years (*). Exemption requests and time extensions are left out.

Measuredcouncil register via NPAD

Every application within 500 m 17 in the last 12 months

See every application on the map

14LOOKING GLASS BRAE , BALLYMACARRY LOWER , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO No decision yet
(1) DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DETACHED STORAGE/AGRICULTURAL SHED AND (2) CONSTRUCTION OF 14 RESIDENTIAL UNITS…
266136923 Jul 20268 homes374 m
8MCCARTERS ROAD , BUNCRANA , LIFFORD PO No decision yet
NEW ENTRANCE TO SITE OFF ROAD L-1126-0, CONNECTION TO EXISTING SERVICES AND ALL ASSOCIATED WORKS
266135922 Jul 202661 m
10ST. HELEN'S , ST. ORAN'S ROAD , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Approved with conditions
(1) RETENTION OF (A) ALTERATIONS TO FRONT PORCH AND MINOR WINDOW / DOOR ALTERATIONS AND (B) 2 NO. PLANT ROOMS…
266128021 Aug 2026105 m
LOOKING GLASS BRAE , BALLYMACARRY LOWER , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Approved with conditions
6 MODULAR BUILDINGS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL USE ANCILLARY TO THE EXISTING i.C.A.R.E ACTIVITIES WITH…
26609489 Jul 2026482 m
11ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA , LIFFORD PO No decision yet
ERECTION OF 2 NO. BLOCKS CONTAINING 2 NO. SEMI-DETACHED DWELLINGS WITH CONNECTION TO MAINS SEWER AND PUBLIC…
266063314 Apr 20264 homes120 m
ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA , CO. DONEGAL Withdrawn or not valid
(1) ERECTION OF 2NO. BLOCKS CONTAINING 2NO. SEMI-DETACHED DWELLINGS WITH CONNECTION TO MAINS SEWER AND PUBLIC…
266037210 Mar 2026120 m
ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA , LIFFORD PO Withdrawn or not valid
ERECTION OF 2 NO. BLOCKS CONTAINING 2 NO. SEMI-DETACHED DWELLINGS WITH CONNECTION TO MAINS SEWER AND PUBLIC…
266007625 Jan 20264 homes120 m
1MARKET SQUARE , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Refused
MINOR ALTERATION TO CONDITION NO. 2 OF THE GRANTED PLANNING REF. NO. 23/51183, FOR THE CHANGE OF HOURS OF…
266007130 Jul 2026141 m
12REAR OF MILLBRAE , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Approved with conditions
CONSTRUCTION OF A DWELLING WITH CONNECTION TO MAIN SEWER AND SERVICES AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT…
26600165 Jun 20261 homes156 m
139 ST. ORAN'S PARK , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Approved with conditions
(1) DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DWELLING DUE TO DEFECTIVE MICA BLOCKWORK AND (2) ERECTION OF A REPLACEMENT…
25622546 Feb 20261 homes366 m
CASTLE AVENUE , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Approved with conditions
MODIFICATIONS TO GRANTED HOUSE TYPE UNDER PLANNING REF. NO. 25/61362, CONNECTION TO EXISTING SERVICES AND ALL…
25622166 Feb 20261 homes449 m
CASTLE AVENUE , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Withdrawn or not valid
MODIFICATIONS TO GRANTED HOUSE TYPE UNDER PLANNING REF. NO. 25/61362, CONNECTION TO EXISTING SERVICES AND ALL…
256218610 Dec 20251 homes449 m
15COCKHILL RD , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Approved with conditions
(1) DEMOLITION OF OUTBUILDINGS AND (2) ERECTION OF A SINGLE, SELF-CONTAINED DWELLING HOUSE, CONNECTION TO…
25621816 Feb 20261 homes393 m
9 ST. ORAN'S PARK , ARDARVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Withdrawn or not valid
(1) DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DWELLING DUE TO DEFECTIVE MICA BLOCKWORK AND (2) ERECTION OF A REPLACEMENT…
25621505 Dec 20251 homes366 m
ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA , LIFFORD PO Approved with conditions
TEMPORARY USE OF THE SITE FOR STORAGE OF BUILDING MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT AND PERMISSION FOR ERECTION OF 3…
256210326 Feb 2026394 m
9ST ORAN'S ROAD , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Approved with conditions
GROUND FLOOR EXTENSION TO THE REAR OF THE APARTMENT PREVIOUSLY GRANTED UNDER PLANNING REF. NO. 25/60379 AND…
256204515 Jan 202683 m
ST ORAN'S ROAD , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA Withdrawn or not valid
GROUND FLOOR EXTENSION TO THE REAR OF THE APARTMENT PREVIOUSLY GRANTED UNDER PLANNING REF. NO. 25/60379 AND…
25619124 Nov 202582 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 19 Oct 2026, 02:08

Source	Licence	Fetched	Link
National Planning Application Database	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 02:08	open
An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)	CC BY 4.0	16 Oct 2026, 23:06	open
Building Control Management System (commencement notices)	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 01:33	open

Building work nearby 6 in the last 12 months

6 not signed off

11 Upper Main Street, Buncrana, Donegal, F93X9C7 · 15 May 2026 · 3 homes · start notice not signed off · 2351611 · 215 m
9 Ardaravan Heights, Buncrana, Donegal · 14 Apr 2026 · 1 homes · start notice not signed off · 2561298 · 461 m
Saint Patrick's Road, Buncrana, Donegal, F93 E6P8 · 13 Mar 2026 · 1 homes · start notice not signed off · 24/61689 · 274 m
Marian Park, Buncrana, Donegal · 31 Dec 2025 · 2 homes · 7-day notice not signed off · 25/60241 · 407 m
15 Marian Park, Buncrana, Donegal, F93 R7D4 · 6 Dec 2025 · start notice not signed off · 2560536 · 321 m
16 Castle Avenue, Buncrana, Donegal, F93 P6X5 · 22 Oct 2025 · 1 homes · start notice not signed off · 2351361 · 458 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 19 Oct 2026, 01:33

Source	Licence	Fetched	Link
Building Control Management System (commencement notices)	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 01:33	open

Named places nearby: estate, schemes, crèches, schools

Named places estate, developments, inspections

Crèches and schools inspected

Name	Latest inspection	Distance
Little Acorns Montessori Playschool · Crèche	4 Sept 2025 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorate	187 m
Shelly's Childcare Ltd. · Crèche	24 Feb 2026 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorate	187 m
Little Acorns Montessori Playschool · Crèche	18 Nov 2025 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorate	505 m
Little Acorns Nursery · Crèche	12 Feb 2025 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorate	525 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 14 Oct 2026, 23:20

Source	Licence	Fetched	Link
Department of Education school list	CC BY 4.0	27 Sept 2026, 23:32	open
Tusla early years register	Public register	14 Oct 2026, 23:20	open

How busy is this area Busier than most of Donegal County Council.

Homes approved

Here24

Council middle0

Homes started

Here70

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 19 Oct 2026, 02:08

Source	Licence	Fetched	Link
An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed)	CC BY 4.0	16 Oct 2026, 23:06	open
Building Control Management System (commencement notices)	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 01:33	open
National Planning Application Database	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 02:08	open

Question 5

What's the area like?

Bus

114 m

Buncrana · 976 · busiest stop within 500 m: 1 an hour at peak

Nearest school

169 m

St. Mura's National School, 26 pupils

Schools, stops and the council

Schools

St. Mura's National School · primary · 26 pupils · 169 m
Scoil Iosagain · primary · 778 pupils · 177 m
Crana College · postprimary · 585 pupils · 331 m
Scoil Mhuire Secondary School · postprimary · 885 pupils · 380 m
Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha · primary · 67 pupils · 652 m

Stops 7

Buncrana · 976 · 1/hour at peak · 114 m
Buncrana · 976 · 1/hour at peak · 154 m
Buncrana · 951, 959, 976 · 1/hour at peak · 370 m
Cockhill Road · 964 · 528 m
Cockhill Rd · 933, 933A, 964 · 533 m
Cockhill Rd · 933, 933A, 951, 959, 976 · 2/hour at peak · 577 m

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

St. Mura's National School · 169 m-13.3% pupils (26)
Scoil Iosagain · 177 m-1.5% pupils (778)
Crana College · 331 m-3.1% pupils (585)
Scoil Mhuire Secondary School · 380 m+1.1% pupils (885)
Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha · 652 m-2.9% pupils (67)

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 19 Oct 2026, 02:28

Source	Licence	Fetched	Link
Public transport stops and routes (NTA GTFS)	CC BY 4.0	18 Oct 2026, 23:44	open
Department of Education school list	CC BY 4.0	27 Sept 2026, 23:32	open
National Planning Application Database	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026, 02:08	open
Council consultation portals	Public	19 Oct 2026, 01:38	open
Council meetings (ModernGov)	Public	19 Oct 2026, 02:28	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	—	—

Question 6

What to ask, and who

Demolition (2051940): work kept with permission. Done as approved?
Ask for: The retention grant and an opinion of compliance.
Seller · solicitor
Extension (2050492) ran out unbuilt in 2025: built anyway?
Ask for: If built: proof it started in time, and an opinion of compliance.
Seller · solicitor
Extension (1851900) ran out unbuilt in 2024: built anyway?
Ask for: If built: proof it started in time, and an opinion of compliance.
Seller · solicitor
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: Ardaravan
Electoral division: Buncrana Urban
Electoral area: Buncrana

Everything we found, as a list 8 lines

4 applications on this site; latest 2051940, approved 2021, work already done.
Not protected; no vacant land tax.
10 sites nearby could change: 10 empty zoned plots.
Buncrana (bus 951, 959) 370 m away: 1 an hour at morning peak; 3 from all stops within 500 m.
Here (2022 census): 71% owner-occupied; 29% of homes empty; most built before 1919; 56% drive to work; population down 3% since 2016.
1 home extension within 250 m since 2026. 1 extension refused.
Around here the council decides in a median 51 days (about 7 weeks); 40% are asked for more information.
17 applications nearby in the last 12 months; 89% approved (council 93%).

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.
Approval ran out without being built (Permission lapsed / expired): Most permissions last five years.
Appeal (Appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála): The applicant, or anyone who commented in time, can appeal the council's decision within four weeks.
Permission for work already done (Retention permission): An application to keep something that was built without permission.
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

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	16 Oct 2026
data.nbco.gov.ie	National Building Control Office (BCMS)	CC BY 4.0	19 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	19 Oct 2026
www2.courts.ie	—	© the publisher	19 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	19 Oct 2026
data.epa.ie	Environmental Protection Agency (LEAP licence register)	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 2026
transportforireland.ie	National Transport Authority	CC BY 4.0	18 Oct 2026
lda.ie	Land Development Agency	CC BY 4.0	11 Sept 2026
meetings.fingal.ie	Local authorities (council meetings)	Public	19 Oct 2026
services.arcgis.com	Department of Housing (National Planning Application Database)	CC BY 4.0	19 Oct 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	19 Oct 2026
services.arcgis.com	Local authorities (RZLT maps)	CC BY 4.0	18 Oct 2026
gov.ie	Department of Education	CC BY 4.0	27 Sept 2026
gov.ie	Department of Housing	CC BY-SA 4.0	9 Oct 2026
tusla.ie	Tusla (Early Years Inspectorate)	Public register	14 Oct 2026
services.arcgis.com	Local authorities via the Department of Housing (GZT / MyPlan)	CC BY 4.0	18 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 20 Oct 2026, 00:45 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.

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