Flooding fears as site works begin
THE local authority defended the ‘extensive pre-planning’ carried out before permission was granted for a housing development at Mounthamilton, at the monthly meeting.
The development was raised by Cllr. Maria Doyle who described how the site is adjacent to lands which have flooded on several occasions since planning permission was originally granted back in 2007 and extended in 2012 for the building of 179 houses at Mounthamilton on the Carrick Road.
‘ The site extends across to Mounthamilton on the Ardee Road, which has had several serious incidents of flooding, especially over the past few years and have resulted in homes being completely flooded. Some of the residents in this area are no longer able to insure their houses from flooding and have had substantial costs to repair their homes due on more numerous occasions.
I have been working with the residents and the Council on agreeing a works programme intended to alleviate the flooding problem. As a result, the council are intending to install a large pipe in the vicinity of Hill Street bridge in the very near future. Also, Cfram have highlighted the Mounthamilton area as an area at a serious risk further flooding.’
She added that although she understood Mounthamilton itself is not on a flood plain, there were concerns about drainage from the elevated nature of the sire.
‘Both the residents and I are very concerned that any building development in this area will increase the flood risk further,’ and asked if plans for the development were ‘rigorously assessed.’
Director of Service, Frank Pentony said it could be beneficial for the members to meet with local authority planners who dealt with the plans originally, but he insisted ‘ there was very extensive pre planning done on this application.’ THE number of call outs by Louth Fire and Emergency Services fell this year, the September meeting of Dundalk Municipal Committee heard.
The latest figures from the local authority showed that as of August 16th 2016 there were 982 calls, compared to 1,106 for the same period last year.
The number of call outs in July was highlighted as ‘particularly low’ at 88, compared to 152 in July.
The fire prevention section has also recently raised fire safety issues with a number of apartment development and upgrading works have commenced on these.
Councillors were also given an update on the on works at Dundalk Fire station. Contract documentation has been received from the design team for the procurement of a contractor for the upgrade of the regional fire service training centre at the site.
Two tenders for the work are currently being assessed by Louth County Council.
Work is also continuing on the build of the new Louth fire tender, with expected delivery before Christmas, or in early 2017.