Planning application set to be lodged for local flood relief scheme
A planning application is to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála shortly for a proposed flood relief scheme in Clonaslee.The announcement was made today by Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) Kevin 'Boxer' Moran.
He said the OPW had given the go-ahead to Laois County Council to proceed with the submission of a planning application for the Clonaslee Flood Relief Scheme to An Bord Pleanála.
Minister Moran said: "I am pleased to announce that following OPW approval, Laois County Council will proceed with a planning application for a flood relief scheme for Clonaslee. I wish to acknowledge the support from the community in Clonaslee that was valuable to inform the design of a scheme for its town, which will protect 74 properties at risk from flooding".
Clonaslee has a history of flooding from the Clodiagh and Gorragh Rivers through a combination of river bank overflow and blockage. In 2020, following the Government’s introduction of Flood Risk Management Plans, Laois County Council with funding from the OPW appointed RPS engineering and environmental consultants to design a flood relief scheme for Clonaslee.
The scheme design for Clonaslee consists of the construction of flood defence walls, construction of embankments, installation of a debris trap and culvert upgrade along the Clodiagh River.
Today’s announcement is the outcome of very detailed engineering analysis, environmental assessments and engagement with the public on the sources of flooding from Clonaslee’s rivers and the options to protect the town.
Minister Moran concluded by highlighting that the Government is investing approximately €45m in flood risk management across Laois and that Clonaslee is one of three active flood relief schemes for the county. Flood relief schemes are also being developed by Laois County Council, with the support of the OPW, in Mountmellick and Portarlington.
The cost of these schemes will be met from the Government’s commitment to managing Ireland’s flood risk through the €1.3bn for flood relief measures set out in the National Development Plan. The design of this and all flood relief schemes is future proofed and is adaptable to meet the increasing flood risk from climate change.