COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

HEADED ITEM NO. 41

Insert an additional bullet point after final bullet point in Section 2.3.21 to read as follows (additional text in bold):

2.3.21 Risk of Flooding

One of the effects of climate change that can be anticipated, and a key adaptation issue, is the management of water and the maintenance of quality standards as the global temperature increases and rainfall patterns change. Flood risk needs to be considered at all stages of the land-use planning process and managed in an environmentally sensitive way. The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Consultation Draft Guidelines (2008) are intended to ensure a more rigorous and systematic approach to integrating flood risk management in the preparation of Development Plans, Local Area Plans and in the determination of planning applications.

 The Guidelines describe good practice in the consideration of flood risk in planning and development management and aim to integrate flood risk management into the overall planning process from strategic consideration to site specifics.

 The core objectives of the Guidelines are to:

 •              Avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding;

 •              Avoid new developments increasing flood risk elsewhere, (including that which may arise from surface run-off);

 •              Ensure effective management of residual risks for development permitted in floodplains;

 •              Avoid unnecessary restriction to national, regional or local economic and social growth;

 •              Improve the understanding of flood risk among relevant stakeholders and

 •              Ensure that the requirements of EU and national law in relation to the natural environment and nature conservation are complied with at all stages of flood risk management.

 The key principles of a risk-based assessment to managing flood hazard and potential risk in the planning system are based on a sequential approach as set out in the Guidelines. The sequential approach involves:

•              Avoiding development in areas at risk of flooding;

 •              If this is not possible, consider substituting a land use that is less vulnerable to flooding and

 •              Only when both avoidance and substitution cannot take place should consideration be given to mitigation and management of risks.

 Possible exceptions to restriction of development due to potential flood risks are provided for through the use of a Justification Test, whereby the overriding planning need and the sustainable management of flood risk to an acceptable level can by demonstrated.

Based on best practice the Council will promote the following objectives:

 •              To preserve riparian strips free of development and of adequate width (minimum of 10m from the top of the bank) to permit access for river maintenance;

 •              To integrate comprehensive flood risk assessment and management in the overall planning process to include forward planning and development management;

•              To avoid flood risk to people and property, where possible;

•              To seek to manage the risks to acceptable levels through the use of flood relief schemes, and/or flood-resistant and flood-resilient construction methods, where avoidance is not possible and

•              To address flood risk management in the detailed design of development, as set out in Appendix B of the Guidelines.

·                           ‘To ensure the protection, management, and as appropriate, enhancement, of existing wetland habitats where flood protection/management measures are necessary.’