McCutcheon Halley have secured 4 permissions for development under this new process and are currently working on 20 applications throughout the country.

The ‘fast track’ system for housing applications of over 100 units and student accommodation with over 200 beds where applications are made directly to An Bord Pleanála does not allow for further information requests and there is no provision to appeal a negative decision. This means that you have to apply a ‘get it right’ first time approach.

The process requires two forms of pre-planning consultation, firstly with the Local Authority and then with An Bord Pleanála, before lodging the application. It is critical to the success of your project that you secure the support of the relevant planning authority before proceeding to An Bord Pleanála. To do this, McCutcheon Halley will review all the policies and objectives contained in the Development Plan to highlight to you and the design team any potential constraints or issues that may arise. In such cases, we will advise if changes should be incorporated into the design or if there is national policy that might support your proposal that would provide a justification for the non-compliance.

Attention to detail is critical to the success of SHD applications and our experience of securing permissions through this process means that we are well equipped to anticipate and resolve all of the issues that are likely to arise, in order to secure permission for your development as quickly and as seamlessly as possible.