It can be possible, but riverside sites are closely scrutinised for flood risk, ecological sensitivity, and maintenance access requirements, and the local development plan or a site-specific flood risk assessment may prevent or restrict building close to the bank. Works affecting the river itself may also need separate OPW or local authority consent.
Building beside a river in Ireland is not automatically prohibited, but it faces more planning scrutiny than an inland site because of flood risk, riparian habitat protection, and the need to keep an access strip along the bank for maintenance and drainage purposes. Under national flood risk planning guidelines, local authorities apply a sequential approach that directs development away from areas identified as being at risk of flooding, so a site next to a river may fall within a flood zone that requires a detailed, site-specific flood risk assessment before permission can be considered.
Many development plans also specify a riparian buffer or setback distance from the top of the bank within which new buildings are discouraged or prohibited, partly to protect water quality and habitat and partly to preserve access for the OPW or local authority to carry out maintenance under arterial drainage schemes where they apply. Rivers that support protected species or habitats, or that fall within a Special Area of Conservation, add a further layer of assessment, potentially requiring ecological surveys.
Where works are proposed that affect the riverbank or channel itself, such as bank stabilisation, a new access crossing, or culverting, separate consent may be needed from the OPW (where an arterial drainage scheme applies) in addition to planning permission, and unauthorised interference with a watercourse can carry its own penalties.