Mayo County Council given green light to proceed with Ballina Flood Relief Scheme

The green light has been given for the Ballina Flood Relief Scheme to proceed after planning permission was given to Mayo County Council to progress the scheme.

An Coimisiún Pleanála granted planning permission for the Ballina Flood Relief Scheme along the River Moy and its tributaries which is designed to provide flood protection to 187 homes and 54 businesses in the north Mayo town.

In granting permission for the scheme, An Coimisiún Pleanála noted that Ballina has a long history of flooding events because of the River Moy’s high-water levels, in conjunction with 'inadequate conveyance capacities of the smaller stream/channels and associated culverts'.

The Commission also noted that the scheme will have potential significant positive impacts on the socio-economic profile of the area and will protect homes and businesses in Ballina from flooding events.

“As a result of the proposed scheme, the Ballina area will become more attractive for residential and business purposes,” the Commission stated.

Works proposed include the construction of new flood walls, repairs to quay wall, culverts, embankments, cutting, pruning and bankside maintenance and other works and it is estimated that construction works will take approximately 36 months to complete. 

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The proposed works on the right-bank of the River Moy include flood walls of up to 1.25 metres in height along the left and right banks of the river, an increase of half a metre on the existing walls. The new walls will start upstream of the Salmon Weir, at the pedestrian bridge and finish at Clare Street at Tom Ruane Park. 

The plaza opposite Muredach’s Cathedral along Cathedral Road will be modified for incorporation into the future planned Ballina Public Realm. This will involve the development of a raised platform to a height of approximately 80cm while existing pedestrian access to the river will be maintained, including provision for accessible access. 

Access to the River Moy for recreational activities and anglers along the proposed scheme is to be maintained and existing public lighting will be replaced where removed. 

Submissions were received by the Moyvale Residents Association who raised concerns regarding water safety for children playing in the open green area to the front of Moyvale housing estate as well as concerns over traffic and access to the N59.

In her report to An Coimisún Pleanála, Fiona Fair, Senior Planning Inspector identified five areas which are susceptible to flooding in the town centre. These are the right bank of the River Moy between the Salmon Weir and the Upper Bridge; the right bank between the Upper and Lower Bridges, with the cathedral and tourist information office; downstream of the Lower Bridge on the right bank; on the left bank around Bachelors Walk, Arbuckle Row, Rope Walk, Moy Court and Ashpool; and on the left bank adjacent to the Salmon weir.

She stated that she considers that the proposed flood relief scheme is fully in line with environmental policy and the Ballina Local Area Plan and aims to protect vulnerable urban areas from flooding, subject to the works being undertaken with full regard to other policy and statutory requirements.

Ms Fair also noted that it is anticipated that the proposed scheme will have a 'positive residual effect' on traffic and transport during the operational stage as the flood defences will prevent the flooding of roads including Emmett Street, Cathedral Road, Clare Street, Bachelors Walk, Barrett Street, Lower bridge, Downhill Road, Creggs Road and Quay Road. 

“I am satisfied that the proposed development individually or in combination with other plans or projects would not adversely affect the integrity of any European sites in light of their conservation objective,” she wrote in her report to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

The Commission approved the proposed development in accordance with Ms Fair's recommendation subject to nine planning conditions.

One of the conditions included provision for a pedestrian access from the open space area, south of the Moyvale estate to the N59 as part of the proposed development, at or in proximity to the existing pedestrian access location.