App offers virtual view of planned buildings

Cork County Council has become the first local authority to launch a free app for people who want to get information on planning applications.

The app, which has been approved by Apple, will allow people search a vast array of planning applications and associated documents from their device.

It comes with Google Maps and Streetview, allowing a person to get a virtual reality view of where a house, business premises or factory is proposed.

Martin Crummey, the council’s IT expert who unveiled it yesterday, said the Planning Viewer app would be available for both Android and iOS devices.

From today, the public will be able to view up-to-date information regarding planning applications lodged, and see the documents and drawings submitted with them.

The app also contains summaries of all planning applications lodged with the county council from 1991 to the present day and former town councils from 1993 to last June, when they were disbanded.

People will also be able to access drawings and documents on all applications received on or after September 5, 2011, and view reports and decision details.

However, larger documents, such as environmental impact statements, are not suitable for viewing via the application, but can be seen at corkcoco.ie or by visiting the council’s planning offices in person.