Built Heritage & Conservation

What is a Protected Structure?

A Protected Structure is a structure which is considered to be of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view. 

The Record of Protected Structures (RPS) is a list of the buildings held by a Local Authority which contains buildings considered to be of special interest in its operational area. 

Section 51 (of the 2000 Act) requires that the development plan shall include a Record of Protected Structures and that the Record shall include every structure which is, in the opinion of the Planning Authority, of special interest. 

The protection of a Protected Structure also extends to and includes all parts of the structure, including its interior, all land around it (curtilage), and any other structures on that land. The obligation also applies to all fixtures and fittings forming part of the interior of a Protected Structure or of any structure on land around it.  Each owner and occupier of a Protected Structure is legally obliged to ensure that the structure is maintained and safeguarded from endangerment.   

Each owner and occupier has an obligation to ensure that a Protected Structure or any element of a Protected Structure is not endangered through harm, decay or damage, whether over a short or long period, through neglect or through direct or indirect means. 

The Planning Authority now has greater powers under the Planning & Development Act 2000 (As Amended) to ensure the protection of structures listed on the Record of Protected Structures.

However, these powers are generally only used in exceptional circumstances when all other avenues have failed. The Planning Authority may:

  • Require an owner or an occupier of a Protected Structure to carry out works if it considers that the structure is or may become endangered
  • Require an owner or an occupier of a Protected Structure to carry out works if it considers that the character of the structure ought to be restored
  • Acquire, by agreement or compulsorily, a Protected Structure if it considers that this is desirable or necessary in relation to the protection of the structure 
  • Where a Local Authority requires works to be carried out to prevent a Protected Structure from becoming or continuing to be endangered, the owner or occupier concerned may be eligible for a grant under the scheme of grants for the conservation of Protected Structures

Works to a Protected Structure

The effect of the designation of Protected Structure status is to ensure that any changes or alterations to the character of the building are carried out in such a way that the existing special character is retained and enhanced. 

Therefore works which would in the opinion of Limerick City & County Council, have a material effect on the character of the structure, require planning permission.  

Under the planning system, many minor works to structures do not normally require planning permission. These works are known as exempted development. However, for a Protected Structure, such works can be carried out without planning permission only if the works would not affect the character of the structure or any element of the structure that contributes to its special interest. 

Depending on the nature of the structure, planning permission could, for example, be required for interior decorating such as plastering or painting. A Declaration from the Local Authority is necessary as to the type of works which would or would not materially affect the character of the structure. 

Protected Structures List

A list of the Protected Structures the the City can be found in the Limerick City Development Plan 2010-2016 and a list of the Protected Structures in the County can be found in the Limerick County Development Plan 2010-2016 

Section 57 Declaration

Section 57 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (As Amended), allows for the owner or occupier of a Protected Structure or a Proposed Protected Structure to make a written request to the Planning Authority to issue a declaration as to the type of works which it considers would or would not materially affect the character of the structure or any element of the structure, thereby clarifying which works would be considered exempted development.

To apply for a Section 57 Declaration, Tom Cassidy. Conservation Officer, Limerick City & County Council, County Hall, Dooradoyle, Limerick or email planning@limerick.ie

Development in Architectural Conservation Areas

An Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) is a place, area, group of structures or townscape, taking account of building lines and heights, that is of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest or that contributes to the appreciation of a protected structure, and whose character is an objective of a development plan to preserve. 

Limerick's historic areas can be protected by means of Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA’s) under Section 81 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (As Amended).  The aim of designating areas is to protect their special characteristics and distinctive features from inappropriate actions. 

Archaeological remains are a non-renewable resource, therefore it is essential that they are properly safe-guarded and managed. A variety of different types of development may affect archaeological remains. These include new buildings, modifications and extensions to existing buildings, the construction of car-parks, road surfaces and the installation of services. 

It is the policy of Limerick City and County Council to protect and enhance the special heritage values, unique characteristics and distinctive features from inappropriate external works. 

Information on Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA’s) can be found in the Limerick City Development Plan 2010-2016 and the Limerick County Development Plan 2010-2016 (links above).

Further Information is available from the Conservation Officer, Mr. Tom Cassidy, email planning@limerick.ie or phone +353 61 556367.

Limerick City Walls Conservation and Management Plan

You can view the Limerick City Walls Conservation and Management Plan on our website here. To view the conservation plan you will need to download the DjVu viewer.

Further Reading

This service is provided by

Planning and Environmental Services Department

customerservices@limerick.ie
+353 61 556000
Limerick City and County Council, Dooradoyle, Limerick V94 XF67