Clare County Council covers a county with an exceptional landscape, from the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher to the Atlantic coast at Lahinch and Kilkee and the Shannon Estuary. Ennis and Shannon are its main centres. Planning here balances tourism, rural housing and industry around Shannon Airport against some of Ireland's most protected landscapes and habitats.
Ireland Planning advises homeowners, farmers, landowners, businesses and developers on planning permission in the Clare County Council area. Our work is led by Patrick O’Reilly, a chartered planner and a Full Corporate Member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI). We review the planning history, the Clare County Development Plan and any site constraints before you commit to drawings or a purchase.
Planning permission in Clare: local context
The Burren is internationally important for its limestone landscape and habitats, and large areas are designated as Special Areas of Conservation. Development in and around the Burren, Ballyvaughan, Kilfenora and Doolin is assessed carefully for its visual, ecological and groundwater impact, especially given the area's karst geology.
Clare's Atlantic coastline is part of the Wild Atlantic Way and attracts proposals for holiday homes, tourism accommodation and visitor facilities. Coastal erosion, flood risk and settlement policy are recurring issues in places like Lahinch, Kilkee and Spanish Point.
Ennis and Shannon offer town-centre, commercial and industrial opportunities, including at the Shannon Free Zone. The Shannon Estuary is a strategic area for marine-related industry, which is balanced against its environmental designations. Rural housing in the countryside around Ennis and Shannon is subject to local need policies.
Key planning considerations in Clare
These are the issues that most often decide applications to Clare County Council:
- The Burren, karst geology and Special Areas of Conservation
- Coastal erosion, flood risk and Wild Atlantic Way landscapes
- Tourism accommodation and holiday homes
- Shannon Airport, Shannon Free Zone and estuary industry
- Rural housing near Ennis and Shannon
- Town-centre regeneration in Ennis, Kilrush and Ennistymon
Towns and areas we cover
We advise on sites throughout the Clare County Council area, including:
Ennis · Shannon · Kilrush · Kilkee · Lahinch · Ennistymon · Killaloe · Sixmilebridge · Newmarket-on-Fergus · Lisdoonvarna · Doolin · Miltown Malbay · Scarriff · Tulla · Corofin · Ballyvaughan · Quin · Kilfenora
Our planning services for Clare County Council applications
- Planning feasibility reviews and pre-planning (Section 247) consultation with Clare County Council
- House extensions, attic conversions and garage conversions, assessed against the Clare County Development Plan
- One-off rural houses, local need and rural housing policy compliance
- Change of use for shops, offices, clinics, restaurants and other premises
- Commercial to residential conversions and living over the shop
- Commercial, retail and business planning applications
- Retention planning permission for unauthorised works and enforcement issues
- Planning refusals, conditions and appeals to An Coimisiún Pleanála
- Section 5 declarations on whether works are exempted development
- Third-party observations and objections on planning applications
Planning refusals and appeals to An Coimisiún Pleanála
If Clare County Council has refused permission or attached conditions that make a project unworkable, the options include an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála, a revised application that addresses the reasons for refusal, or a further information strategy. We review the planner’s report, the reasons for refusal and the relevant policies before recommending a route. See our planning refusals and appeals service.
Frequently asked questions about planning permission in Clare
Can I get planning permission for a house in the Burren?
It is possible but challenging. Clare County Council assesses landscape impact, Special Area of Conservation designations, karst groundwater protection and your local housing need. Careful site selection and design are essential, and we can review a site before you buy.
Do I need permission to convert a building in Clare to tourism accommodation?
Converting a house or outbuilding to self-catering or guest accommodation is usually a material change of use requiring permission. We consider the existing use, access, wastewater treatment and local tourism policy.
How long does Clare County Council take to decide a planning application?
Clare County Council must generally decide a valid planning application within eight weeks of receiving it. If the council requests further information, the decision is usually due within four weeks of that information being received. Invalid applications are returned, so a complete, well-prepared submission saves time.
Can I appeal a decision made by Clare County Council?
Yes. Applicants, and third parties who made a valid submission on the application, can generally appeal a decision by Clare County Council to An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly An Bord Pleanála) within four weeks of the decision date. The deadline is strict, so get advice as soon as the decision issues.
Information to include with your enquiry
The more accurately we understand the site and proposed development, the more useful an initial response can be.
- Full property address and Eircode, if available
- Existing use and proposed use or works
- Any planning reference numbers, decisions or drawings
- Relevant timescales and known constraints
Neighbouring planning authorities
We also advise on projects in nearby council areas: Galway County Council, Limerick City and County Council, Tipperary County Council, Kerry County Council. See every county and council we cover on our planning permission by county and council page.
Request a planning assessment
Contact Ireland Planning on 01 223 2496 or email info@irelandplanning.ie with the site address and your proposal. We will explain the planning position with Clare County Council and the next practical step for your project.
Request a Planning Assessment →
Planning law and local policy can change. Any general information on this page should be checked against the provisions in force and the specific property circumstances before relying on an exemption or commencing works.