Unauthorised Development Listings Pulled From Council's Portal Over Legal And Property Sale Concerns

Friday, 30 May 2025 11:55

By Martin Osborne

In some instances, properties could faced issues when the owners tried to sell them because details of unauthorised development complaints appeared on the planning portal.

Unauthorised development cases across the county are not being published on the council's planning portal due to legal complaints, data concerns and fears that some properties mentioned struggled to be sold.

Kfm understands that one of the biggest factors influencing the decision is due to a series of legal complaints around the hosting of some information on the portal.

In some instances, properties faced issues when the owners tried to sell them because details of unauthorised development complaints appeared on the planning portal.

Some cases were later found to be frivolous, vexatious, legally exempt, or dismissed by the courts, according to the council.

The council says GDPR also now limits what information can be made public.

Previously, such details were accessible online.

Officials stressed that unauthorised development complaints are only allegations until fully investigated and adjudicated.

During that process, those accused are entitled to privacy.

Seven Kildare councillors have pushed for bi-monthly, in-person meetings to tackle a sharp rise in unauthorised developments across the county.

It follows concerns over the increasing number of buildings and works carried out without proper planning permission.

They called on the council to commit to regular face-to-face sessions dedicated to addressing the issue.

Kildare County Council’s executive acknowledged a significant increase in complaints about unauthorised developments and said the issue is becoming more complex and widespread.