Wicklow County Council covers Bray, Greystones, Wicklow town, Arklow and Blessington, along with the Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough and a large rural area under strong commuter pressure from Dublin. Wicklow's landscapes are among the most protected in Ireland, and rural housing policy here is strict.
Ireland Planning advises homeowners, farmers, landowners, businesses and developers on planning permission in the Wicklow 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 Wicklow County Development Plan and any site constraints before you commit to drawings or a purchase.
Planning permission in Wicklow: local context
The Wicklow Mountains National Park, Glendalough and the uplands are protected by landscape designations, including Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and by Special Areas of Conservation. One-off houses, extensions and tourism proposals in these areas are assessed closely for visual impact, siting and design.
Most of rural Wicklow is under strong urban influence from Dublin, so Wicklow County Council applies strict rural housing criteria, and applicants generally need a long-standing connection to the area. The northern towns of Bray, Greystones, Kilcoole and Newtownmountkennedy are growing quickly, with Local Area Plans guiding new housing.
The coast from Bray to Arklow is affected by coastal erosion and flood risk, and Enniskerry, Bray and Wicklow town contain Architectural Conservation Areas. Blessington and the Poulaphouca reservoir area face specific landscape and water-quality issues.
Key planning considerations in Wicklow
These are the issues that most often decide applications to Wicklow County Council:
- Wicklow Mountains National Park and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Strict rural housing criteria under Dublin commuter pressure
- Bray, Greystones and Newtownmountkennedy growth
- Coastal erosion from Bray to Arklow
- Enniskerry, Bray and Wicklow town ACAs
- Blessington and Poulaphouca reservoir water quality
Towns and areas we cover
We advise on sites throughout the Wicklow County Council area, including:
Bray · Greystones · Wicklow town · Arklow · Blessington · Baltinglass · Rathdrum · Newtownmountkennedy · Enniskerry · Kilcoole · Ashford · Delgany · Roundwood · Aughrim · Tinahely · Carnew · Dunlavin · Avoca
Our planning services for Wicklow County Council applications
- Planning feasibility reviews and pre-planning (Section 247) consultation with Wicklow County Council
- House extensions, attic conversions and garage conversions, assessed against the Wicklow 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 Wicklow 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 Wicklow
How strict are Wicklow's rural housing rules?
Wicklow has some of the strictest rural housing policies in Ireland. Applicants usually need a long-standing local connection or rural-based employment, along with a well-sited design that fits the landscape. We assess your eligibility before you invest in a site.
Can I extend a house in the Wicklow Mountains?
Modest extensions to existing homes are often acceptable, but in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or near the National Park, scale, materials and visual impact are assessed closely. We advise on a design approach likely to be acceptable.
How long does Wicklow County Council take to decide a planning application?
Wicklow 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 Wicklow County Council?
Yes. Applicants, and third parties who made a valid submission on the application, can generally appeal a decision by Wicklow 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: Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council, Kildare County Council, Carlow 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 Wicklow 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.