Investigation finds huge retention permission volume in Donegal

Over 1,400 developments in Donegal have been constructed without planning permission since 2019.

An investigation by The Irish Independent has found a widespread culture of ‘build now, ask later’ across the country,

In excess of 11,000 people in Ireland have carried out building works without planning permission, the probe has found.

Donegal County Council has granted retention permission 1,319 times since 2019.

In the same period, Donegal County Council has refused 83 requests for retention permission.

Retention permission is permission for an unauthorised structure or partially constructed structure that is already built without planning permission.

Sometimes, these applications can relate to small items such as the installation of new windows or the change of use of a garage for example.

However, the Irish Independent reported that bigger works have also been carried out and the total figure in Donegal is among the largest of local authorities in the country.