Retention fees

yes, i have had similar experiences, the clients have to apply for permission for retention of dwelling as constructed and pay €2.50 per sq m of the total dwelling…..

can you give an example of what elevational changes were made… i trust the ridge line didnt increase …..

most cases wher i have seen this have been an increased ridgline, or when an “extension” is built at the same time as the dwelling……

numerous elevational changes? how numerous and to what extent do the changes alter the external appearance of the house?

@sw101 wrote:

numerous elevational changes? how numerous and to what extent do the changes alter the external appearance of the house?

Changes like dormers become veluxes , ext door becomes window , Two smaller windows combined to become one larger . No change to ridge line . No change to charecter .

obviously your architect wont sign it off… will they??

i would argue dormers becoming veluxs on a 9000 sq ft house would be quite a character change…..

i do not see you having any option….. unless your name is michael mc dowell….

My point is the level of fee . The house planning fee to begin with was € 65.00 . To be charged a whole building m2 rate for elevational changes , amounting to €2k is crazy . The substantial elemement of the orginal grant is the house . What we are applying for now is not retention of the house , but for retention of modfications to it . It ought to be a Class 13 development , retention ( cost € 240.00 ) not class 1 , retention , cost €2k. In other words it would have cost the same , in terms of planning application fee , to build the house without permission and seek to then retain it . That is not equitable 😡

unfortunately the council consider it ‘retention for dewlling as constructed’… not retention for an unauthorised dwelling….

i completely agree that its a huge difference, but the architect SHOULD have notified THE CLIENT when these changes were made as to the consequences of the actions….. if the architect was not willing to sign off the changes then he/she should have notified the client tha this situation would be the consequence….

Henno , thanks for your responses . It a small comfort to hear my case is not unusual . I am the Architect ( that is I work for the practice in question ) . Our client is informed , understanding and supportive . But I am ticked off. In the past retention applications I made were not charged like this but rather as Class 13 . It is normal , desirable even for a one of house design to to continue to develop during the course of the works . I think the DOE understand this perfectly well and have just seen another opportunity to impose a stealth tax .

You should consider contacting the Ombudsman.

i agree that its natural for the design of the dwelling to evolve through the construction, it happens nearly all the time here….

ive just come in from measuring up a dwelling where the client made several changes to the elevation and internal plan… ie converting a brace of windows to one square bay, addition of small gable to front, and attic conversion…… he has to apply for retention of dwelling as constructed….. his floor area is approx 320 sq m thus the fee will be €800

when you applied for retention before, what exactly were you applying for???

this becomes even more apparent when retaining changes to commercial development.. ie a similar building to your Brian, if it was commercial, would cost the client *gulp* €8640……. yes, this is another method of accessing finance for the LA, i dont think you will be able to get around it…..