Relief following flood scheme vote

A NORTHSIDE golf club’s members have voted unanimously in favour of a motion that will allow Dublin City Council to carry out urgent work on a flood relief scheme on part of its land.

Last Thursday, members of Clontarf Golf Club voted unanimously to agree to facilitate work on the Clanmoyle Road Flood Alleviation Scheme.

The news will come as a huge relief to residents of Clanmoyle Road, Donnycarney, who have been affected by serious flooding in recent years.

The work will take place on the club’s land in the area of the 12th, 13th and 14th holes. Its members have been commended for their decision.

Toni Joyce, a resident of Clanmoyle Road, Donnycarney, expressed delight after hearing the news.

Ms Joyce’s home has been flooded three times in the last five years, necessitating her to uproot her young family and find suitable rented accommodation on each occasion.

The mother-of-three told Northside People:

“My home, which is located at the lowest point on the road, was flooded in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

“It was a massive upheaval for us each time. I am delighted that members of Clontarf Golf Club have voted in favour of allowing Dublin City Council to work on its land.

“It was one of the biggest obstacles and now that it has been overcome we can look forward to getting the work done.

?

Ms Joyce believes it’s vital that the work commences this year.

“I cannot stress the importance of progressing quickly with this project,

? she said.

“The floods have had a major impact not only on the families in terms of moving, but also in the value of their homes and their inability to get flood insurance.

“The work has to start this year and not next year. We don’t know what the weather is going to be like this winter.

“It doesn’t even have to be winter as in July we had heavy downpours and we were on tenterhooks again.

?

Due to the history of flooding on Clanmoyle Road, Ms Joyce said her family has become used to living their lives by the weather.

“We check the weather forecast nearly every single day because we are worried about what could happen,

? she stated.

“The sight of a team working on our road is the best thing that can happen in terms of reassuring the residents that a solution is finally happening.

“The flooding has had a huge impact on the lives of the residents.

?

Ms Joyce added:

“It has taken some time for the whole process to come together and for our family it has been a particularly stressful five years.

?

A spokesman for Clontarf Golf Club said that in late 2010 Dublin City Council approached them in relation to facilitating site surveys being carried out on lands owned by the club.

“Since then the club has actively been co-operating with Dublin City Council as it was aware of the devastating consequences that extreme flooding had on their neighbours in Clanmoyle Road,

? he told Northside People.

“Conceptual engineering design plans were presented to the club in November 2011 and following revisions over the following months the club consented to Dublin City Council proceeding with a planning application.

?

In the application it was proposed that part of the golf course would be used as a flood plain in the event of major flooding in the local area and so provide flood alleviation to the affected Clanmoyle Road residents.

“The proposal sees holes 12, 13 and 14 being taken out of play for up to nine months as civil engineering works and course reinstatement takes place,

? the spokesman stated.

“In December 2012 Dublin City Council presented their proposals to club members at an information meeting.

“Over the last six months contact between club management and Dublin City Council officials and their respective advisors intensified, culminating with agreement on the project’s final details.

?

The spokesman said that at a well attended Special General Meeting held in the club on Thursday evening – and following a strong recommendation by the management committee – the members voted unanimously to allow Dublin City Council proceed with the scheme.

“The club now looks forward to a continuance of the co-operation between the parties involved and expects that the works will commence as soon as possible,

? he added.

Clontarf ward councillor Damian O’Farrell (Ind) described the news as a tremendous boost for the Clanmoyle residents.

“It takes them one major step closer to finally protecting their homes against flooding,

? said Cllr O’Farrell.

“Clontarf Golf Club is to be commended for the work they’ve put into the project and for unanimously supporting their neighbours.

?

A spokesman for Dublin City Council said:

“Clontarf Golf Club members agreed to the latest Dublin City Council/OPW proposal at a special general meeting of 180 members.

“Dublin City Council is awaiting the formal confirmation and thank the golf club and its members for their active support.

?