PROTECTION OF LAND IN BALLYBOUGHAL

COMHAIRLE CONTAE FHINE GALL

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

BALBRIGGAN-SWORDS-RUSH-LUSK AREA COMMITTEE MEETING

(Services B – Strategic & General Matters)

THURSDAY, 9TH JANUARY 2020

ITEM NO. 49

– AI051332

Motion: Councillor B. Dennehy

“That the Chief Executive examine and assess the section of land in Ballyboughal

bordered on one side by the new footpath installed under planning permission

F09A/0226/E1 with the R129 alongside it and bordered by the bridge in

Ballyboughal on the other in order to ascertain the following items.”

1. If the strengthening of the banks running alongside the stream with

Rock Armour in front of the new development are having any adverse

detrimental effect on the unprotected bank on the other side of the

stream.

2. If the new concrete culvert built under the bridge as part of planning

permission F09A/0226/E1 is having any adverse detrimental effect on the soil

bank of the property outlined.

3. Due to the strategic location of the outlined land between what is currently a

public park on the opposite side of the bridge and bordered by what will

become a public park on completion of planning permission F09A/0226/E1 to

engage with the landowners about the possibility of acquiring the property

outlined for public usage and extend the footpath built on planning permission

F09A/0226/E1”

Report:

Part 1

A 190 metre stretch of the north bank of the river, downstream of Ballyboughal

Bridge, was surveyed on Monday 9th December. The river bank along this section

consists of stone gabions and vegetation. The riverbank is generally in good

condition and for the most part shows no sign of erosion.

Along one section, approximately three metres in length, the river has slightly

undercut the riverbank. It is noted that some vegetation has re-grown on the

exposed undercut. It is considered that the undercut is likely to be as a result of

the natural meandering of the river. However, this section will be monitored

over the coming months to determine if there is any deterioration

Part 2

The recently constructed overflow culvert is designed to come into use

intermittently, only during flood events. It is unlikely that the culvert has yet

come into use since its construction. Therefore, it is considered that the soil

bank has not suffered adversely from this new culvert.

Part 3

The proposal outlined is acknowledged, however it should be noted in the first

instance that a portion of the land in question is in private ownership. The

Council will consider the viability of developing the land in question as open

space in the context of the further planning of outdoor amenities in

Ballyboughal.