Westmeath County Council Taking In Charge Process

Taking in charge application process

Taking in charge is a formal legal process by which responsibility for certain public areas and services in a private residential development or estate are transferred to, or put in the charge of, by a local authority.

When a residential development is completed in accordance with all the conditions and particulars of its planning permission, the developer or a plebiscite of home owners, may make a written request to the Planning Department to have an estate taken in charge (open green spaces, roads, public lighting and services). The application may be made using the Councils Taking in charge application form.

In order to facilitate the taking in charge process, Westmeath County Council have produced a TIC Policy for Private Housing Developments Feb 06  and specifications listed below which shall be consulted to achieve a timely and efficient Taking In Charge process. 

The requirements of the taking in charge process are listed below.

1. Completed application form.
2. As-constructed drawings in AutoCAD format (electronic) showing the foul sewer, surface water sewer, invert levels, manholes cover levels and water mains network.
3. CCTV footage and reports for the foul sewer and surface water sewer networks.
4. Manhole survey for the foul sewer and surface water sewer networks.
5. Public lighting drawings, certificates, etc.
6. Outdoor lighting report.
7. Third Party Certification by Engineer/Architect.
8. Irish Water Connection Agreement.
9. Irish Water Conformance Certificate.
10. Copy of Professional Indemnity insurances of the Engineer/Architect.
11. Land registry maps showing the areas within the housing estate that need to be taken in charge. Westmeath County Council require the ownership of all the public areas, footpaths, roads, green areas within the housing estate to be transferred over to them. 

If any wastewater or surface water sewers are on third party lands, 10m wide (5m either side) wayleaves / burdens to be put in place. This is to allow for future maintenance works to be able to take place. Any costs incurred for this to be borne by the developer / landowner.

When the residential development has been taken in charge by the Council, it is highly recommended that a residents committee is established to maintain the public green areas within the estate.

Any queries in relation to the taking in charge process shall be addressed to tic@westmeathcoco.ie. 

• TIC Policy for Private Housing Developments Feb 06
• Westmeath County Council Public Lighting Policy Document
• Planning A Guide to Taking-in-Charge of Completed Residential Developments ‌‌
• Westmeath County Council Estates That Have Been Taken In Charge