Longford County Council covers Longford town, Granard, Edgeworthstown, Ballymahon and Lanesborough, with Lough Ree and the River Shannon along its western edge. Longford is a largely rural county with ongoing town-centre regeneration and a growing tourism economy.
Ireland Planning advises homeowners, farmers, landowners, businesses and developers on planning permission in the Longford County Council area. Advice is provided by our planning team, led by a chartered planning consultant and Full Corporate Member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI). We review the planning history, the Longford County Development Plan and any site constraints before you commit to drawings or a purchase.
Planning permission in Longford: local context
Longford town is the main centre for growth, with regeneration of the town centre and the reuse of vacant buildings a key priority. Typical applications include changes of use, residential conversions and commercial and retail development.
Lough Ree, the Shannon callows and the Royal Canal corridor are environmentally sensitive and prone to flooding. Proposals for homes, tourism and leisure development near the lake and river are assessed for flood risk and their effect on protected habitats. The Center Parcs resort near Ballymahon has also brought new tourism-related proposals to the area.
Rural housing in Longford is generally supported for people with a local connection, subject to site suitability, wastewater treatment and road safety. The transition away from peat harvesting near Lanesborough brings proposals for renewable energy and new enterprise.
Key planning considerations in Longford
These are the issues that most often decide applications to Longford County Council:
- Longford town centre regeneration and vacant buildings
- Lough Ree, Shannon callows and flood risk
- Royal Canal Greenway and tourism development
- Rural housing and site suitability
- Peatland transition and renewable energy
- Agricultural development
Towns and areas we cover
We advise on sites throughout the Longford County Council area, including:
Longford town · Granard · Edgeworthstown · Ballymahon · Lanesborough · Drumlish · Newtownforbes · Ardagh · Keenagh · Ballinalee · Aughnacliffe · Abbeyshrule · Legan · Clondra
Our planning services for Longford County Council applications
- Planning feasibility reviews and pre-planning (Section 247) consultation with Longford County Council
- House extensions, attic conversions and garage conversions, assessed against the Longford 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 Longford 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 Longford
Can I open a tourism business near Lough Ree in Longford?
Tourism proposals are generally welcomed, but sites near Lough Ree and the Shannon often face flood-risk and habitat assessments. We review the site's constraints and the policy support before you design.
Do I need planning permission to convert a vacant shop in Longford to a home?
Some conversions may qualify for temporary exemptions, but many need permission, particularly where the building is protected or on a main shopping street. We check which route applies.
How long does Longford County Council take to decide a planning application?
Longford 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 Longford County Council?
Yes. Applicants, and third parties who made a valid submission on the application, can generally appeal a decision by Longford 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: Westmeath County Council, Roscommon County Council, Leitrim County Council, Cavan 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 Longford 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.