River Poddle FAS Information Events

Upcoming River Poddle Public Information Events

Two public information events are being held in the coming days about the River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS). The first is in the Mount Argus Community Centre on 16 January from 4 pm - 8 pm followed by one in the TASC Pavilion, Tymon Park on 20 January from 4 pm – 8 pm. In the coming weeks, the proposed scheme will be submitted directly to An Bord Pleanala for Part 10 Planning. The public will then be invited to submit proposals to An Bord Pleanala during six weeks of statutory public consultation. Dates for this consultation will be advertised through South Dublin County Council’s website and social media when they are set.

History of the River Poddle FAS

The River Poddle FAS has been in preliminary design since March 2018 with a proposed scheme finalised since September 2019. The FAS is in response to the floods that occurred along the river Poddle in October 2011 and the distressing loss of life that was experienced. A report into potential works to lessen the chance of flooding occurring again was published in 2014. 

From March 2018, initial engagement was made with individual residents and local groups such as the Harolds Cross Flood Committee and the Recorders Residents Association in the Whitehall Road area whose lives were greatly affected as a result of the floods experienced in October 2011. This was followed up by information days in both the Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council areas held in December 2018, which were advertised on social media and through the local area representatives at the time. A public information evening, organised by the Crumlin Clean Up Group in conjunction with Councillor Tara Deacy of Dublin City Council, was also held on the 28 November 2019 in Kimmage with a further public event held in Mount Argus Community Centre on 19 December 2019.

Providing Nature-Based Solutions

Nature-based solutions have been a focus of our design to greatly reduce the use of both earthen and hard defences but due to the heavily urbanised nature of the route of the river. However, this has proved somewhat difficult in certain areas. These issues have been addressed by increasing the containment area at the Tymon Park lakes and by proposing further natural containment areas, firstly in an area adjacent to the river at the rear of Whitehall Park, where we are aiming to convert this area into a new kept parkland area which will also open up access to the river to the public, and in a portion of Ravensdale Park. Following the review of the original Options Report created in 2014, the hard defences proposed by the report have been reduced by over 75%, with a significant increase in the use of natural earthen embankments.

Every effort has been made by the project team to provide the minimum impact on trees. A comprehensive tree survey has been carried out by an arborist and defences have been redesigned to have minimal impact. A figure of 29 trees is currently estimated to be affected if An Bord Pleanala approves the scheme. All trees that may be impacted will be individually assessed by an arborist and the project ecologist during construction and any tree that doesn’t need to be removed, won’t be removed. If tree removal is required, it will be replaced locally on a 2 to 1 basis with all new trees being monitored for several years to ensure that they are healthy. 

Public Consultation

As part of the Part 10 Planning Submission to An Bord Pleanala, an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) will be available to the public during the consultation phase. This report will address the impact on flora, fauna, habitat and biodiversity, among other things. It will provide mitigation measures to ensure their protection. The EIAR is a substantial document which has been prepared by individual specialists in their fields. To protect biodiversity and increase the water quality we are proposing to introduce an Integrated Constructed Wetlands onto the river, which will significantly enhance the currently poor water quality now present in the river. This is in conjunction with the introduction of placing additional pollinator areas along the river route in line with the National Pollinator Plan.

South Dublin County Council will advertise the dates for the six-week public consultation as soon as they are set. In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming you to the public information events being held this week in Mount Argus Community Centre and Tymon Park.