Roscommon County Council covers Roscommon town, Boyle, Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen and Strokestown, as well as Monksland on the western edge of Athlone. The county is bordered by the River Shannon and contains Lough Key, much of Lough Ree's western shore and the Rathcroghan royal landscape.
Ireland Planning advises homeowners, farmers, landowners, businesses and developers on planning permission in the Roscommon 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 Roscommon County Development Plan and any site constraints before you commit to drawings or a purchase.
Planning permission in Roscommon: local context
Monksland and Bellanamullia, on the Roscommon side of Athlone, form part of the Athlone regional growth area, with housing and employment development coordinated with Westmeath. Sites here are often subject to more demanding policies than elsewhere in the county.
The Shannon callows, Lough Ree, Lough Key and Lough Allen are environmentally sensitive and prone to flooding, and riverside development requires careful flood-risk and habitat assessment. Rathcroghan near Tulsk is one of Ireland's most important archaeological landscapes.
Rural housing is common across Roscommon and is generally supported for people with a local connection, subject to site suitability, design and wastewater. Town-centre regeneration and the reuse of vacant buildings are priorities in Boyle, Castlerea and Roscommon town.
Key planning considerations in Roscommon
These are the issues that most often decide applications to Roscommon County Council:
- Monksland and the Athlone growth area
- Shannon callows, Lough Ree and flood risk
- Rathcroghan archaeological landscape
- Rural housing and site suitability
- Vacant building reuse in Boyle, Castlerea and Roscommon town
- Agricultural development
Towns and areas we cover
We advise on sites throughout the Roscommon County Council area, including:
Roscommon town · Boyle · Castlerea · Ballaghaderreen · Strokestown · Monksland · Elphin · Ballinlough · Ballyforan · Keadue · Frenchpark · Tulsk · Rooskey · Knockcroghery
Our planning services for Roscommon County Council applications
- Planning feasibility reviews and pre-planning (Section 247) consultation with Roscommon County Council
- House extensions, attic conversions and garage conversions, assessed against the Roscommon 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 Roscommon 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 Roscommon
Is Monksland planned by Roscommon or Westmeath?
Monksland is in County Roscommon, so Roscommon County Council decides planning applications there, although it functions as part of the wider Athlone area. We confirm the authority and policies that apply.
Can I build near the Shannon in Roscommon?
Sites near the Shannon and the large lakes are often in flood zones or close to protected habitats. Roscommon County Council will require a flood risk assessment and possibly appropriate assessment. We identify these issues early.
How long does Roscommon County Council take to decide a planning application?
Roscommon 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 Roscommon County Council?
Yes. Applicants, and third parties who made a valid submission on the application, can generally appeal a decision by Roscommon 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, Mayo County Council, Sligo County Council, Leitrim County Council, Longford County Council, Westmeath County Council, Offaly 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 Roscommon 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.