How do I search planning applications in Co. Galway?

Two ways. The national planning applications map (nationalplanningapplications.ie) carries every council's register on one map: search the address, then look at the streets around it. The planning authorities for the towns on this page are Galway City Council, Galway County Council; each also runs its own online planning search with the full file, drawings and decision. For a house you are buying, the 300 m around it matters more than the town count.

Which towns in Co. Galway have the most planning activity?

By applications within 2 km of the town centre in the last three years: Galway (447), Salthill (381), Knocknacarra (232), Loughrea (121), Oranmore (113). Counts include extensions, one-off houses and changes of use, not only housing schemes.

Does planning permission nearby change what a house is worth?

A granted permission for a large scheme behind the house can take light, a view or parking, and it means construction traffic for two years. It can also add a school or a shop. Read the description, the decision and the appeal status before you bid. The report lists every application within 300 m of the Eircode with that detail, and checks the house's own planning and building-control file.

Planning applications · Co. Galway

Planning applications in Co. Galway: 1,583 in three years

1,583 planning applications were lodged within 2 km of the centres of 9 towns in Co. Galway in the last three years, 8 of them for ten homes or more (470 units). Below: the busiest towns, the largest schemes on file, and what to check around one house before you bid.

1,583

planning applications within 2 km of 9 town centres in the last three years

of them for 10 homes or more

470

residential units in those large applications

Where the planning office is busiest in Co. Galway

Applications lodged within 2 km of each town centre since 2023, from the national planning register. A high count means an active town, not necessarily housing estates: extensions, one-off rural houses, shopfronts and retention applications all count.

Galway	447 applications
Salthill	381 applications, 3 large
Knocknacarra	232 applications, 4 large
Loughrea	121 applications
Oranmore	113 applications
Tuam	106 applications
Athenry	80 applications
Gort	60 applications, 1 large
Ballinasloe	43 applications

Largest schemes on file in Co. Galway

Applications for ten homes or more near the towns above, largest first, with the status recorded on the register when this page was built:

133 units, Salthill, lodged 2026-08, new application (Galway City Council): Permission for development which consists of: notice for a Large-Scale Residential Development Application to Galway City Council. We, Kingston Stables Limited, intend to apply for permission for development of a Large-S
113 units, Knocknacarra, lodged 2024-08, application finalised (Galway City Council): LRD Permission for development which consists of the following: 1. Demolition of 2 no. existing dwellings including 1 no. two-storey dwelling (199 sqm) and 1 no. bungalow (234 sqm) and shed (13.64 sqm) 2. Construction of
28 units, Knocknacarra, lodged 2026-06, further information (Galway City Council): Permission for development which consists of: permission for development at Mincloon and Keeraun, Clybaun Road, Galway, comprising: 1. Construction of a housing development of 84 no. dwellings consisting of 4 no. two-sto
21 units, Gort, lodged 2024-03, application finalised (Galway County Council): for the construction of 21 no. residential units comprising of 9 no. 2 bed 2 storey family dwellings, 4 no. 2 bed single storey age friendly units and 8 no. 3 bed 2.5 storey family dwellings, vehicular entrance, new atte
16 units, Salthill, lodged 2026-06, further information (Galway City Council): Permission for development which consists of: permission is sought by Kenny Developments Galway Ltd for the construction of a residential development, consisting of 39 no. residential units, at Circular Road, Galway City
13 units, Salthill, lodged 2025-10, appealed (Galway City Council): Notice for a Large-Scale Residential Development Application to Galway City Council. Permission for development which consists of: We, Kingston Stables Limited, intend to apply for permission for development of a Large-S

A permission that is granted but not yet built is invisible at a viewing. The register shows it. So does the zoning map for the fields around the house, which says what they are allowed to become.

Check one house in Co. Galway

The area tells you the odds. The report tells you about the house.

Enter the Eircode. The free snapshot shows which of the twenty-nine checks flag up. The full report (€24.99, one house, no account) lists every planning application within 300 m of the house with status, decision and appeal, checks the property's own planning and building-control file, and shows the zoning of the land around it.

Or read the sample report first: a real house, 16 pages.

Other checks for Co. Galway

Planning applications by town in Co. Galway

GuidePlanning search before buying a house: the three files that matter

Questions people ask

How do I search planning applications in Co. Galway?: Two ways. The national planning applications map (nationalplanningapplications.ie) carries every council's register on one map: search the address, then look at the streets around it. The planning authorities for the towns on this page are Galway City Council, Galway County Council; each also runs its own online planning search with the full file, drawings and decision. For a house you are buying, the 300 m around it matters more than the town count.
Which towns in Co. Galway have the most planning activity?: By applications within 2 km of the town centre in the last three years: Galway (447), Salthill (381), Knocknacarra (232), Loughrea (121), Oranmore (113). Counts include extensions, one-off houses and changes of use, not only housing schemes.
Does planning permission nearby change what a house is worth?: A granted permission for a large scheme behind the house can take light, a view or parking, and it means construction traffic for two years. It can also add a school or a shop. Read the description, the decision and the appeal status before you bid. The report lists every application within 300 m of the Eircode with that detail, and checks the house's own planning and building-control file.

Sources

National planning applications map

Area figures, compiled from public records. They describe the town or county, not any one house. The paid report checks the exact Eircode.