Kilkenny County Council is the planning authority for Kilkenny City and the county, from Castlecomer in the north to Thomastown, Inistioge and Graiguenamanagh on the Nore and Barrow and Ferrybank on the edge of Waterford City. Kilkenny's medieval heritage and its river valleys give planning here a strong conservation focus.
Ireland Planning advises homeowners, farmers, landowners, businesses and developers on planning permission in the Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny City and County Development Plan and any site constraints before you commit to drawings or a purchase.
Planning permission in Kilkenny: local context
Kilkenny City's Medieval Mile, its historic streets and many protected structures and Architectural Conservation Areas mean changes of use, shopfronts, signage, extensions and upper-floor conversions in the city centre require conservation-sensitive design. The joint Kilkenny City and County Development Plan sets the policy framework.
Ferrybank and the south Kilkenny area next to Waterford City form part of the Waterford Metropolitan Area, with growth objectives coordinated with Waterford City and County Council. Sites here often involve larger residential and commercial schemes.
Rural housing near Kilkenny City and in the south of the county is subject to local need criteria. The River Nore and River Barrow valleys, around Thomastown, Inistioge and Graiguenamanagh, are designated as Special Areas of Conservation and important landscapes.
Key planning considerations in Kilkenny
These are the issues that most often decide applications to Kilkenny County Council:
- Medieval Mile, protected structures and ACAs in Kilkenny City
- Ferrybank and the Waterford Metropolitan Area
- Rural housing local need near Kilkenny City
- River Nore and River Barrow SACs and valley landscapes
- Town and village renewal in Callan, Castlecomer and Thomastown
- Agricultural and equine development
Towns and areas we cover
We advise on sites throughout the Kilkenny County Council area, including:
Kilkenny City · Thomastown · Callan · Castlecomer · Graiguenamanagh · Inistioge · Ferrybank · Freshford · Bennettsbridge · Urlingford · Mooncoin · Piltown · Gowran · Ballyragget · Paulstown · Johnstown
Our planning services for Kilkenny County Council applications
- Planning feasibility reviews and pre-planning (Section 247) consultation with Kilkenny County Council
- House extensions, attic conversions and garage conversions, assessed against the Kilkenny City and 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 Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny
Do I need planning permission for a new shopfront in Kilkenny City centre?
Usually yes, especially within an Architectural Conservation Area or on a protected structure. Kilkenny County Council has detailed expectations on shopfront design, signage and materials. We can advise on an approach that works for the building.
Is Ferrybank planned by Kilkenny or Waterford?
Ferrybank is in County Kilkenny, so Kilkenny County Council decides planning applications there. It is also part of the wider Waterford Metropolitan Area, with growth policies coordinated with Waterford City and County Council.
How long does Kilkenny County Council take to decide a planning application?
Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny County Council?
Yes. Applicants, and third parties who made a valid submission on the application, can generally appeal a decision by Kilkenny 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: Carlow County Council, Laois County Council, Tipperary County Council, Waterford City and County Council, Wexford 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 Kilkenny 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.