RESIDENTS
in Clontarf are furious that a plan to build a flood defence scheme on the
seafront will result in the loss of their views.
However,
Dublin City Council have argued that without the scheme, the area will continue
to flood thus making it difficult for residents to get insurance cover.
It’s
believed the structure will take the form of a continuous landscaped mound,
ranging in height from approximately five to eight feet, and running from Alfie
Byrne Road to the Wooden Bridge.
Urgent
Clontarf
Residents’ Association and Clontarf Business Association jointly called an
urgent meeting last week to discuss the situation. All the area’s public
representatives were invited to attend.
A
spokeswoman for Clontarf Residents’ Association said that if the plan were
implemented, the sea view when driving along Clontarf Road would be eliminated.
“Pedestrians
or joggers using the pathway close to the sea will not be able to see the
road,
? she told Northside People.
“Equally
important, they will not be visible from the road which produces its own
potential security risk.
“Householders
who currently have a sea view at ground level will no longer be able to see any
part of the sea.
?
The
spokeswoman said this is a hugely valuable amenity both to local residents and
also to the many visitors to Clontarf.
“Based
on the current plans, the promenade is about to change dramatically,
? she
added.
Flooding
A
spokeswoman for Dublin City Council said the scheme arose as a result of tidal
flooding in 2002 which resulted in extensive flooding of the Clontarf area and
many properties.
“The
Clontarf seafront area was identified as one of the areas most at risk in the
Dublin Coastal Flood Protection Project study completed in 2005 by international
expert consultants Royal Haskoning,
? she told Northside People.
“There
have been about four major floods in recent years affecting this area.
Maintained
“Flood
cover was at risk of being withdrawn by the insurance companies from almost
3,000 houses/businesses in the Clontarf area but cover has been maintained on
the basis that Dublin City Council were advancing this flood defence scheme.
“The
Clontarf Flood Defence Scheme was designed by Royal Haskoning to the standards
required for coastal flood protection by the Government agency responsible, the
Office of Public Works (OPW), taking account of such factors as sea level
rise.
?
The
spokeswoman said the height of the flood defences is determined by the flood
risk and the relevant national standards and is no higher than the minimum
required to provide a resilient and long-term solution.
“The
use of landscaping rather than extensive wall construction is designed to
minimise impact and, insofar as is possible, retain the character of the
Clontarf seafront,
? she stated.
“There
will be a loss of visual amenity but without this the area will continue to
flood.
Temporary
“Since
2002 Dublin City Council has mobilised limited temporary defences for the
Clontarf seafront at a cost of
?¬70,000 to
?¬100,000 per mobilisation.
“Dublin
City Council no longer has the money or the human resources for such
mobilisation, and, in any event, temporary defences are very vulnerable to
overtopping by flood waters and are not sustainable as a long-term solution.
?
The
spokeswoman pointed out that full details of the project were made available to
residents, local businesses and elected representatives at various informal and
formal public consultations in 2006 and 2007.
This
was in the lead up to the submission of a full Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) to An Bord Pleanala in 2007.
“The
submission was advertised in the national press, site notices erected and the
project details and EIS Report put on public display in the Civic Offices and
in Marino Library,
? she explained.
“The
EIS took full account of all aspects of the project including the visual impact
of the flood defence structures.
“The
EIS and the project was approved by An Bord Pleanala, subject to certain conditions,
in 2008.
?
The
spokeswoman added:
“Following Government approval tenders were sought and
Dublin City Council has now completed the procurement process. Construction is
expected to commence shortly.
?
In
a letter to residents, Clontarf ward councillor Damian O’Farrell (Ind) said
there is absolutely no doubt that flood defences are needed in Clontarf.
“The
people living along Clontarf Road are deserving of a proper flood defence
structure to protect their homes,
? he stated.
“However,
I’m sure you do not want the visual amenity that is Dublin Bay completely
removed from your line of sight.
?
Cllr
O’Farrell added that he had no doubt that people in Clontarf and surrounding
areas would fight tooth and nail against the project.
Dublin
North Central TD Finian McGrath (Ind) said the proposal could destroy a local
amenity for generations and has urged the city council to come up with another
plan.
“I
will work closely with all local residents for a sensible solution,
? he stated.