If your local authority sends you a warning letter about an unauthorised development, you typically have four weeks to respond, clarifying whether the development is exempt, compliant, or required planning permission in the first instance.
Don’t Ignore a Planning Warning Letter
When you receive a warning letter, it is important to get an agent such as RetentionPlanning.ie to deal with it for you. Whatever you do, don’t ignore it, as the matter will only escalate.
What Happens After You Receive a Warning Letter?
The Site Inspection
Regardless of whether the development is exempt or compliant, the local authority inspector will open a file and investigate the development in person.
From Warning Letter to Enforcement Notice
If the inspection finds that the development is unauthorised, the matter moves from a warning to enforcement. This means you will have a certain time limit to regularise the situation, which generally means either applying for retention permission or removing the unauthorised development.
Applying for Retention Permission During Enforcement
If the work requires retention permission, you will need to lodge a retention planning application. If permission is granted, the