What is An Taisce’s role in planning? Expand A cornerstone of the Advocacy Unit's work is our role as the only independent charity in Ireland with a statutory or “prescribed” role in the planning process. This means we are sent planning applications for proposed developments of all types and of all sizes that may impact the environment and/or built heritage. Our role is to review and comment on the applications as part of the decision making process. Essentially, we act as a watchdog. We also have a similar role regarding infrastructure developments (such as large electricity projects), forestry licensing, aquaculture licensing, pollution control licensing, and dumping at sea permits. The detailed submissions we make often result in changes to the proposals to better promote sustainable development and ecological protection. Our work can also result in particularly problematic proposals being refused. Learn more about these statutory roles here. More broadly, the Advocacy Unit's focus in this oversight role is to advocate for the full implementation, enforcement and improvement of national and European environmental law and policy. We also advocate for the right to full public participation in all environmental decision and policy-making processes.
What policy areas does An Taisce work on? Expand We provide detailed submissions to policy consultations at all levels, from the local to the national, and on a wide range of issues, from County Development Plans to marine conservation to climate legislation. The top priorities in our policy work include: Addressing the climate change and biodiversity loss emergencies; Improving and protecting water quality and air quality; Creating a sustainable food system; Creating sustainable communities to support the wellbeing of both people and environment; Shifting from dependence on private car use to more sustainable modes of transport such as public transport, cycling and walking; Protecting our built and cultural heritage and advocating for the sustainable and sensitive use of heritage buildings.
Can I view An Taisce’s planning and policy submissions? Expand All of our submissions on planning applications are publicly accessible through the planning authority websites. The relevant databases can be found on ePlans. We are currently in the process of uploading all of our submissions on policy consultations here.
Where can I find information about planning applications in Ireland? Expand Information regarding a planning application can be found on the planning authority websites. The relevant databases can be found on ePlans. Planning applications are searchable by reference number, applicant name, development description, or development address. An Bord Pleanala’s website, Ireland’s planning appeals board, provides information on planning appeals on local authority decisions, Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) applications and Strategic Housing Development (SHD) applications (this system is now discontinued but previous SHD cases and cases awaiting a decision are still accessible). For a library of information on the planning system, visit the Office of the Planning Regulator’s website.
What can I do if I have a planning-related query? Expand We appreciate and value public concern for planning in Ireland. If you would like to bring an issue to our attention, such as that regarding a planning application or an unauthorised development, please email [email protected]. Due to resources and capacity, however, we are unfortunately unable to respond to every concern raised with us.
There is development occurring in my area that I think may be unauthorised. What can I do? Expand If you believe that there is development occurring in your area without the necessary planning permission, you can submit an enforcement complaint to the local Council asking them to investigate. Each Council website should provide specific instructions on how to do so. In general, you will need to provide details of the location and development and/or activity in question. Providing photos, if possible, is often helpful as well. If you are unsure if the development is unauthorised, you can start by searching for it in the relevant planning authority database, which can be found on ePlans. The enforcement process can be very slow, and unfortunately, this is a systemic issue in Ireland. If an enforcement file has been opened in relation to your complaint, you can request updates from the Council, but progress may be slow. If you haven't heard back from the Council in relation to your initial complaint, follow up to ensure it was logged.
Why did An Taisce make a submission on one application and not another? Expand We receive, on average, over 500 planning application referrals per month. The number of applications we are able to respond to at any given time is largely dependent on our workload. We try to prioritise the submissions we make based on, among various criteria, the scale of the development in question and the likelihood and severity of potential environmental or heritage impacts. Due to our limited resources, we are unfortunately unable to respond to every planning application that we would like to.
What is An Taisce’s aim in making planning submissions? Expand The majority of our planning submissions are observations and would generally raise the need for further assessment of one or more aspects of the planning application as well as issues of ensuring compliance with local, national or EU policy. Our goal is to ensure that planning decisions are made in compliance with national and EU environmental law such as the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, Habitats and Birds Directives, Water Framework Directive, national climate mitigation policy, etc. All of these have to be factored into planning decisions at local council and An Bord Pleanála levels. Our overall focus in our planning work is ensuring: Environmental legal compliance in the planning process; The protection of our built and cultural heritage; and That planning in our rural areas, cities and towns is done as sustainably as possible for the wellbeing of both people and the environment.
What can I do about the destruction of hedgerows in my community? Expand Hedgerows are immensely important in Ireland for many reasons, including supporting wildlife, aiding in carbon sequestration and alleviating air pollution, as well as mitigating impacts from flooding and wind. To learn more, we recommend this document from The Heritage Council, Conserving Hedgerows. Per the Wildlife Act 1976 (as Amended, 2000) hedge cutting is banned from 1 March to 31 August every year, unless exempted for reasons such as health and safety. Please report illegal hedge cutting to Gardai and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Including photos or videos as evidence is best if possible. Visit Irish Wildlife Trust and the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland for more information. If you believe hedgerows have been cut, removed, or destroyed as a result of wider unauthorised development, also contact the local county council. Please provide full details of the area of concern, including location and photos if possible. If you believe that more than 500 metres of hedgerow or field boundary has been removed, please contact An Taisce at [email protected] and provide us with precise location details and photos if possible.
What can I do about the destruction of trees in my community? Expand Please visit the Tree Council of Ireland’s website for comprehensive information about tree maintenance, tree felling, legal requirements, and other general tree information.
Can An Taisce help with injured birds and other wildlife? Expand Unless there is a concern that a planning application or development will have an impact on birds or other wildlife, we are unable to help. If you have found an injured bird, contact an experienced wildlife rehabilitator, which can be found on the Irish Wildlife Matters website. If you are concerned about an abandoned baby bird, please remember that it is often the case that they do not need help and it is normal for young birds to leave the nest before they are able to fly. It is best to return the bird back to where it was found or to its nest if it does need help so that its parents can look after it. Otherwise, it will need specialist care. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator, which can be found on the Irish Wildlife Matters website. For more information, visit BirdWatch Ireland’s website. Additionally, their FAQ page is an excellent resource.
Can you point me toward gardening/growing resources for wildlife and biodiversity? Expand Creating space for and sharing space with nature is so important. Check out these resources if you’re looking to transform your garden or a similar space (no matter how small or large) into a haven for all species. Juanita Browne's Gardening for Biodiversity - information on general gardening tips for biodiversity An Taisce's Composting for Nature - information on composting Freshwater Habitats Trust's website - information on creating ponds BirdWatch Ireland’s website - information on Ireland’s birds, gardening for birds, bird-friendly tips, nestboxes and more. The Tree Council - information on trees (the right tree in the right place!) All-Ireland Pollinator Plan - information on Ireland’s pollinators and pollinator-friendly tips
Where can I find information about built heritage in Ireland? Expand The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage's website is a great place to start. The NIAH identifies, records, and evaluates Ireland’s post-1700 architectural heritage, providing the basis for Records of Protected Structures. On their website, you can search buildings, gardens and surveys by county or you can use their mapping tool to find records of both the National Monuments Service (Sites and Monuments Record) as well as the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. You can also find An Taisce's Buildings At Risk register here.
How do I find information about protected structures in Ireland? Expand If you are wanting to find out if a building or structure is a Protected Structure, we recommend that you contact the local Council to confirm its status.
How can I become an An Taisce member? Expand To become a member, or for details on how to join, types of memberships, and membership benefits, please visit the membership page on our website. Membership queries can be directed to [email protected].
How can I make a donation? Expand If you would like to make a one-off or regular donation please visit the donation page on our website.
Are you accepting job, internship or volunteer applications? Expand For the most up-to-date information regarding vacancies, please visit the vacancies page on our website. Sometimes we have a sudden need for volunteers or interns. If you would like us to keep your details on file in case we do have a sudden need, please send your CV to us at [email protected].
How does An Taisce receive funding? Expand An Taisce as an organisational whole is funded from multiple sources. Importantly, An Taisce is made up of two branches, the Education Unit and the Advocacy Unit. The Education Unit receives restricted funding from State and other sources for specific initiatives in education, such as Green Schools. The Advocacy Unit as well as An Taisce’s general administration is funded from membership, philanthropic and commercial income. The costs of making observations, submissions and any appeals in relation to planning are exclusively resourced from advocacy and general funds. The breakdown of these funds is set out clearly alongside the organisation's Annual Report, which is published here.
Is An Taisce affiliated with any political party/parties? Expand Our members are of all ages and come from all walks of life. The one thing we have in common is our concern for the environment and a shared passion to protect nature and our natural and built heritage. In accordance with the guidance note (Feb 2018) issued by the Charities Regulator under section 14 of the Charities Act 2009, An Taisce has a charitable purpose only. An Taisce engages in political activities or promotes a political cause only where that relates directly to the advancement of our charitable purpose. It does not endorse any political party or candidate.
Who do I contact in relation to an An Taisce's education programmes? Expand Please visit the ‘Contact Us’ page here for the most up-to-date contact information. You can find links to more information about all the programmes here.
Where can I get legal advice on an environmental or planning matter? Expand An Taisce has no in-house legal team, so we unfortunately cannot offer legal advice. Community Law and Mediation runs monthly free legal advice clinics on certain environmental issues including: Health concerns arising from air or water pollution Poor sanitation or access to clean water Poor housing conditions (cold, damp) Homes at risk of flooding Lack of access to green space, parks etc Illegal dumping Noise pollution Negative environmental impacts of a development Energy costs and access to retrofitting schemes or fuel allowance Difficulty accessing information on environmental issues Click here for more information if you would like avail of this service.