Unauthorised Developments
If you wish to report an unauthorised development you may make a complaint in writing to the Planning Enforcement section or fill out the complaint form attached below.
Complaints should contain as much information as possible including the exact address of the site of development, preferably with the location marked on a map, detailed description of the alleged unauthorised development and, where known, details of the owner/developer and date the development commenced.
The form should be signed. Your name and address is required for full investigation of the complaint and to keep you informed of any statutory notices served and of the outcome of investigations. The Planning Enforcement Office will endeavour to maintain as confidential the identity of the complainant. Anonymous complaints may limit the scope of the investigation process.
The completed complaint form can be sent to the Planning Enforcement Office, Fire Station, Humbert Way, Castlebar, Co. Mayo or by email to planningenforcement@mayococo.ie
Enforcement Process
- Under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) the planning authority may take action where a complaint is received in writing alleging unauthorised development.
- Where a planning authority considers unauthorised development may have occurred it shall issue a Warning Letter under section 152 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
- The Warning Letter affords 4 weeks for a submission in reply, following which the planning authority will make a decision as to what further action, if any, is necessary, in line with the provisions of section 153 of the Act, having regard to any submission received and any other material considerations.
- An Enforcement Notice may subsequently be served under section 154 of the Act requiring the developer, owner, occupier or any other person who may be concerned with the unauthorised development to take whatever steps the planning authority deem necessary in order to regularise the development. An Enforcement Notice sets out the requirements of the council to rectify the offence and also contains a timeframe within which the work must be completed. Non-compliance with an Enforcement Notice is an offence.
- Should any person served with an Enforcement Notice fail to comply with its requirements, the council may institute legal proceedings in the District Court.
Further information regarding the planning enforcement process may be found in A Guide to Planning Enforcement in Ireland published by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
Data Protection
All information obtained by Mayo County Council is obtained and processed in accordance with the Data Protection Acts 1988, 2003 and 2018 alongside current EU GDPR Legislation. Your information will be used solely in the exercise of our official authority and will not be used for any other purpose. We will not share your data with third parties unless we are required or permitted to do so by law.
For any data protection queries, please contact dataprotection@mayococo.ie