Planning Consultant Services for Combined Educational Campus at St Aloysius College and Scoil Chlochair Mhuire, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork

Tender description

Siol Schools Trust CLG seek to engage a specialist Planning Consultant to provide comprehensive planning consultancy services to support the delivery of planning permission for school development sites, including addressing a potential material contravention of the applicable Development Plan. The services will commence with a detailed planning review of the project, including assessment of the original scheme proposals, pre-planning documentation, and all relevant planning policy frameworks. This shall include a thorough review of the Cork City and County Development Plan (pre- and post-2022), any applicable Local Area Plans, Development Management Standards, and all relevant statutory and policy requirements. Particular focus shall be given to identified material contravention issues (including Green Infrastructure), planning risks (such as residential amenity impacts, heritage constraints and environmental considerations), and any relevant Part 8 proposals. The Consultant shall engage with the Planning Authority and key stakeholders as required and provide a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations to inform the planning strategy. The Consultant shall then lead the pre-planning application process at Stage 2 (Specimen Design), including site appraisal, planning and environmental assessment, and coordination of all technical inputs. This shall include advising on planning risks and constraints, undertaking environmental screening (including Appropriate Assessment Screening where required), and identifying all supporting documentation necessary for a robust planning submission. The Consultant shall manage and coordinate all pre-application engagement with the Planning Authority and relevant stakeholders, develop a planning strategy and programme aligned with the overall project delivery programme, and act as the central coordination point for all planning-related activities, including stakeholder engagement, technical interfaces, and documentation management. The Consultant shall prepare, manage and submit the planning application(s), including all statutory notices, reports, forms and supporting documentation, ensuring full compliance with the Planning and Development Acts and associated regulations. This includes managing the material contravention process, coordinating responses to Requests for Further Information, and maintaining ongoing engagement with the Planning Authority and other stakeholders. The Consultant shall review and advise on planning decisions, secure planning permissions of appropriate quality for procurement, and manage any appeals to An Bord Pleanála, including preparation of first party appeals or responses to third party appeals. Where required, the Consultant shall analyse and report on third party submissions, advising on appropriate responses and supporting the coordination of submissions to the Planning Authority. At procurement stage, the Consultant shall provide planning compliance and quality assurance reviews of tender submissions and prepare reports with recommendations on any planning-related issues. The Consultant shall provide ongoing reporting to the Client, attend meetings as required, and ensure effective programme management, coordination, and delivery of all planning-related outputs to support successful project progression.