Planning Applications
We project manage and co-ordinate the preparation and lodgement of planning applications to Local Authorities. We co-ordinate the specialist consultants required for planning applications today. We follow through to validation, respond to Requests for Further Information and monitor Decisions. We do so through the online Local Government Portal.
Plan Preparation
We make submissions to Development Plan reviews. We also prepare Local Plans, Masterplans, Social Audits , Appropriate Assessments and direct the preparation of Retail Impact Studies and Environmental Impact Assessments.
Planning Appeals
We conduct appeals to An Bord Pleanala. This includes advice as to whether to appeal, and if so, assemble the arguments to reach a successful conclusion. This includes the managing of any supporting reports.
Planning Advice
We advise on all topics of planning interest including Planning Enforcement, compliance with conditions, legal issues, Planning Levies, withering of permissions, Development Potential, and Pre Application consultations with Local Authorities.
Manahan Planners is a well established Planning Consultancy based in Dublin but operating throughout Ireland. It is a practice registered with the Irish Planning Institute, carries Professional Indemnity Insurance, and has Direct Access to the Bar.
The practice operates based on the following 3 principles.
Knowledge
Our clients benefit from our deep knowledge of Planning Policy & Practice, Regulations, Guidelines, Development Plans, Court Decisions, Planning Law.
Experience
Years of practice has created a reservoir of information that is used to ensure the best possible outcomes in all cases.
People
Planning is a people business. We seek to absorb our clients requirements and look to achieve that in contact with Planning Officers in the various Local Authorities.
Tony Manahan Profile
Tony Manahan
Tony began his career in Dublin City Council where he worked in both Forward Planning and Development Control. He set up Manahan Planners and was based in Rathfarnham Village before moving to the present office in Dawson Street in 1993.
He served on the Council of the Irish Planning Institute from 1990 to 2001 and was its President in 1995/1996. He served on a European planning body, the Permanent International Working Party (PIWP) from 1996 to 2001. This body organises the Biennale of Towns and Town Planning in Europe. He was on the organising committee for conferences in Rome, Barcelona, Rotterdam and Herne in Germany. Tony was joint Irish delegate to the European Council of Town Planners (ECTP) from 1998 to 2002.
He was nominated to the Dublin City Council Strategic Policy Committee on Planning, Economic and European Affairs and served a 5 year term.
He was for a time, External Examiner to the Bolton Street course on Spatial Planning and an occasional Lecturer to the UCD course on Urban and Regional Planning. He contributed to the publication "The New Housing". He served on Committees set up by the IPI, RIAI and DOE in particular in dealing with Housing Densities.
Tony began his schooling in St. Mary`s College, Rathmines and completed it in De La Salle, Churchtown. He graduated from University College Dublin with an Honours Degree in Geography and Archaeology. He also graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a Masters Degree in Urban Design and Regional Planning. He is a Member of the Irish Planning Institute and for 30 years was a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in London. While working, he studied Law in Trinity College Dublin and at the Kings Inns but did not complete the full course.
He continues to run the practice from Dawson Street, catering to the needs of a varied suite of clients .
Our Impact
Recent Applications in 2024
Applied for and obtained permissions for a Yoga centre and Wellness Facility at new Elmgreen development in Harolds Cross in Dublin 6W.
Obtained permission from An Bord Pleanala to vary DCC permission by removing condition requiring multiple 3 bed apartments, in excess of applicants wishes, in development in Phibsborough, Dublin 7. Subsequently obtained a permission for an off license for LIDL in the ground floor retail unit of the development.
Applied for apartment development in Malahide. Obtained permission from Fingal County Council and successfully defended that Decision against Third Party appeals.
Applied for and obtained permission from DLR for Funeral Home in Willowfield, Goatstown, County Dublin. Decision subject to Third Party Appeal.
Applied for and obtained permission to convert 4 storey over basement period building in Limerick city centre from offices to nine residential units.
Successfully applied to extend life of permission for development in Stillorgan, County Dublin.
Obtained Permission for alterations to approvals at former Central Bank Building in Dame Street, Dublin.
Applied and obtained Permission for large solar panel development in Citywest Business Park, west county Dublin.
Obtained permission from both DLR County Council and ABP on appeal for parking facility in Protected Structure in Monkstown, County Dublin.
Applied for and obtained permission for Outpatient Facility for the Rotunda maternity hospital at Earl Place, Dublin 1 for the HSE.
Applied for and following a RFI, obtained permission from DCC for the Ha’penny Inn to expand into the neighbouring building, a protected Structure, to provide a restaurant and a residential unit.
Obtained permission from DCC for a replacement digital sign at Dorset Street, Dublin.
Successfully defended a Council grant of permission for a residential development in Monaghan town against Third Party appeals.
Obtained a decision to grant permission from DLR for a 109 dwelling units LRD retirement complex at Mount Anville estate, an area with a SNI zoning objective. Details of application can be seen in www.mountainvillelrd.com
Got permission to amend residential apartment scheme in Dun Laoghaire Town Centre from 25 dwelling units approved to 36 units while removing the basement from the originally approved scheme.
Following a refusal by Dublin City Council to allow the Landmark Pub in Wexford St. to expand into the neighbouring building, we obtained permission from ABP to overturn the decision of the City Council and grant permission.
Obtained permission from Fingal County Council for digital signage on the Navan Rd in Castleknock.
Obtained permission for a creche to the rear of Donnybrook House in Donnybrook, Dublin 4.
Obtained permission to convert retail unit in Jervis Shopping Centre to dental clinic.
Obtained permission from Wicklow County Council to upgrade buildings on the Luggalla Estate.
Obtained permission from Dublin City Council to develop two mews houses on site previously approved for a single mews site.
Selected Applications in 2023
Obtained permission from Louth County Council to group previously approved separate units into a single logistic warehouse of 37.289sq.m. at Dundalk North Business Park.
Advised in relation to further logistic warehouses in Ballycoolin, County Fingal.
Obtained approval for 7 storey hotel at Liffey Valley shopping center with 254 bedrooms, 8 penthouse suites, bar and restaurant and basement parking for 148 cars, granted permission by South Dublin County Council, without objectors and therefore no appeals.
Obtained permission for change of use at Powerscourt Townhouse centre.
Obtained grant of permission for replacement of existing sign with digital sign in Donnybrook village.
Overturned decision to refuse permission for residential apartment development in Dun Laoghaire Town Center in appeal to An Bord Pleanala.
Received council approval for LRD residential development of 224 units in Wexford town, currently subject of an appeal to ABP.
Obtained permission for amendments to elevations of Protected Structure building in Cecil Street in Limerick city.
Obtained a decision to grant permission from Dublin City Council for residential development at corner of North Circular Road and Phibsborough Road following earlier refusal.
Obtained permission from Meath County Council for amendments to Tayto Crisp premises.
Obtained permission from Dublin City Council for amendments to the Clerys development currently nearing completion.
Received permission for a change of use of former National Bank premises at College Green from retail to restaurant for Hawksmoor, the world famous steak and sustainable fish restaurant.
Obtained permission for expansion of Glasson Lakehouse and Golf Hotel in Athlone, County Westmeath.
Selected Applications in 2022
Obtained change use from retail to gym of premises at Beacon Court development in Sandyford.
Obtained permission from Dublin City Council for a series of alterations at Clery's development, including hotel at Earl Place and for food and beverage units.
Obtained permission to demolish and rebuild office building in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Obtained permission for amendments to Dublin Liberties distillery at Mill Road.
Obtained permission from Dublin City Council for boutique hotel development at Merchants Arch and defended decision at An Bord Pleanala.
Obtained permission for office development of 500,000 sq. feet in five buildings at Via Verde site in Sandford Business Park in South Dublin.
Lodged applications and advised re developments for Narin and Portnoo golf course in Donegal.
Obtained permission for change of use of industrial building to national central facility for Gowans Group in Citywest, Co. Dublin
Managed, submitted and obtained permission for SHD residential proposal at Mill Road, Saggart, County Dublin.
Following refusal by DCC for apartment development in Harolds Cross, Dublin 6, advised on alternative approach and then lodged and obtained permission for new apartment scheme.
Obtained permissions for apartment schemes on Classic cinema site ( former Kenilworth Cinema) and ESB site in Harolds Cross Dublin 6.
Selected Applications in 2021
Obtained changes to Clerys department store following earlier refusal.
Lodged submissions to Reviews of DLR and SDCC County Plans.
Obtained permission for Hotel at The Embankment at Tallaght, Co. Dublin.
Lodged application at Glasson Lakehouse Hotel in Athlone.
Obtained permission for development at former Victoria Hotel, St. Patricks Street, Cork.
Obtained permission for development at Lough Ree Yacht Club following earlier refusal.
Hagans Court, Dublin 2 permission for residential development.
Development of large medical development in Navan Co. Meath.
Ongoing development of 500,000 square feet office development in Sandyford Business District in Dublin.
Ongoing SHD developments, planning appeals and applications in Dublin.
Comprehensive Residential and Retail developments in Phibsborough and Ballsbridge in Dublin.
Selected applications in 2020
Obtained permission for extensive redevelopment proposals at the Jervis Shopping Centre.
Prepared Section 5 response on behalf of Narin and Portnoo golf course in Donegal.
Responded to appeals at Mount Temple school on behalf of Department of Education and Skills.
Applied for proposals at 15 Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Following multiple refusals, successfully appealed to ABP and obtained permission.
Permission granted for extension to Penthouse Apartment in Ballsbridge One.
Submissions to Review of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Plan.
Objected to proposals at Nassau Street on behalf of Butlers Chocolates Cafes.
Selected applications in 2019
Currently advising on planning issues for the new Clerys development in O'Connell Street.
Permission granted for change of use from retail to coffee shop in Rathmines for Butlers Chocolates Cafes.
Obtained Permission for Office development at the Lennox Building. Nominated for Office building of the year.
Obtained Permission for major office redevelopment at the New Ireland Building on Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Obtained permission for residential development at Beech Park on the Stillorgan Road.
Obtained permission for new restaurant and new elevation in the Merchants Quay Shopping Centre in Cork.
Selected Applications in 2018
Obtained permission to convert the former St. Andrews Church building in Dublin City centre to an innovative Food Market for the Marquette Group.
Applied and obtained permission for the Shelbourne Social, and also for Butlers chocolates cafe in the Comer Ballsbridge One development. Further application for a Cinnamon restaurant approved.
House at Ely Place, Dublin 2 granted by Dublin City Council following resolution of Conservation issues.
Development at Union Cafe in Mount Merrion, granted by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, following previous refusal. Following an appeal from Local residents, Permission has now been granted by ABP. https://www.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/an-bord-pleanala-gives-green-light-to-mckillen-37598737.html
Acting for local residents, convinced Dublin City Council to refuse permission for proposal at Verville Court, Clontarf.
Obtained a decision to grant permission for 2 houses in the side garden of a house at Granitefield, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. Permission refused on appeal. Reapplied and obtained permission for one additional house.
Submitted application for Primary Care Centre in Fermoy Co Cork. Permission granted following 12 month process.
Obtained Decision to Grant Permission for retail development at the Victoria Hotel in St Patricks Street, Cork city. Granted permission following third party appeal.
Part of team to submit Masterplan for expansion of Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Co. Dublin.
Obtained permission for Communications masts and facilities for Virgin Media in Galway, Kilkenny, Gorey and Wexford.
Selected Results for 2017
We are delighted that our application on behalf of The Comer Group to complete the 14 storey skeleton of The Sentinel at Sandyford, Co. Dublin has been granted by DLR County Council. In its current state it remains a reminder of the housing crash. No appeal was lodged by local residents so work is now cleared to commence.
Permission granted for Shelbourne Social restaurant at Ballsbridge One and for a coffee shop for Butlers Chocolates.
Application for change of use from shop to coffee shop at 16 Clare Street, Dublin 2 refused by Dublin City Council but granted by ABP following appeal by Manahan Planners.
Permission granted for Apartment Development at Gas Yard Lane, Malahide Co. Dublin.
Permission was obtained by Manahan Planners on behalf of the Oakmount/Press Up group for a 58 bedroom hotel at 81/82 North Wall Quay near the 3 Arena. The site is within an SDZ. Work has commenced on site.