Fingal County Council covers north County Dublin, from Blanchardstown and Castleknock in the west to Swords, Malahide, Howth and the coastal towns of Skerries, Rush and Balbriggan. It combines fast-growing suburbs, historic coastal villages, Dublin Airport and a large rural hinterland, so the planning issues vary widely from one site to the next.
Ireland Planning advises homeowners, farmers, landowners, businesses and developers on planning permission in the Fingal 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 Fingal Development Plan and any site constraints before you commit to drawings or a purchase.
Planning permission in Fingal: local context
Dublin Airport has a significant influence on development in Fingal. Noise zones and public safety zones around the airport can restrict new homes, extensions that add bedrooms, and some commercial uses, and the Fingal Development Plan includes specific policies on noise-sensitive development near the runways.
Fingal still has a large rural area, and one-off rural houses are assessed against rural settlement and local housing need criteria. Applicants usually need to show a genuine connection to the area. Howth is protected by a Special Amenity Area Order, and the coastline from Sutton to Balbriggan includes sensitive landscapes, high-amenity zoning and coastal erosion risk.
In the towns, typical applications include house extensions and attic conversions in Swords and Malahide, change of use of retail units in town centres, and commercial and light industrial proposals in Blanchardstown and the business parks around the airport.
Key planning considerations in Fingal
These are the issues that most often decide applications to Fingal County Council:
- Dublin Airport noise zones and public safety zones
- Rural housing and local need criteria in the rural area
- Howth Special Amenity Area Order and high-amenity coastal zoning
- Coastal erosion and flood risk at Portrane, Rush and Malahide
- Town centre change of use in Swords, Balbriggan and Blanchardstown
- Protected structures and ACAs in Malahide, Skerries and Howth
Towns and areas we cover
We advise on sites throughout the Fingal County Council area, including:
Swords · Malahide · Blanchardstown · Balbriggan · Howth · Skerries · Rush · Lusk · Donabate · Portmarnock · Castleknock · Ongar · Sutton · Baldoyle · Garristown · Naul · Mulhuddart · Clonsilla
Our planning services for Fingal County Council applications
- Planning feasibility reviews and pre-planning (Section 247) consultation with Fingal County Council
- House extensions and attic conversions, assessed against the Fingal 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 Fingal 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 Fingal
Can I build a one-off house in rural Fingal?
It depends on your link to the area and where the site is. Fingal County Council applies rural settlement and housing need criteria, and areas close to the airport or on high-amenity land face extra restrictions. We can assess eligibility before you buy or design.
Does the Dublin Airport noise zone affect my extension or new home?
It can. Inside certain noise zones, new residential development and larger extensions may be restricted or need acoustic design measures. We check where your site sits against the noise zones in the Fingal Development Plan.
How long does Fingal County Council take to decide a planning application?
Fingal 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 Fingal County Council?
Yes. Applicants, and third parties who made a valid submission on the application, can generally appeal a decision by Fingal 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: Dublin City Council, Meath County Council, South Dublin 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 Fingal 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.