Environmental Assessment
The scope of the environmental consultancy services related to the identification of environmental constraints within the study area, close liaison with the engineering team, the environmental assessment of viable options, public participation and environmental assessment of the preferred scheme. The overall objective of the environmental assessment was to ensure that environmental receptors within the receiving environment were identified and the interaction of these receptors with the proposed flood relief measures were fully understood and assessed in terms of significant environmental impacts.
Constraints Study
The first step in the environmental assessment process was the identification of environmental constraints. The Constraints Study was primarily delivered via desk-top work and targeted field assessments by various experts to identify environmental constraints that might be relevant to, or impose constraints on, the design and construction of proposed flood relief scheme. The Constraints Study was informed through consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, collation of background information, relevant national datasets and mapping, a public information day (including feedback), relevant information from the engineering team and Steering Group. Previously commissioned reports and surveys for the flood relief area were reviewed and their findings incorporated into the constraints process. The consultation process sought comments, observations and relevant information regarding the scheme and likely sensitive receptors from statutory and interested parties.
The findings of the constraints process was presented in a Constraints Study Report and included an assessment of the constraints on receptors such as population and human health, biodiversity including ecological designations, protected habitats and species, watercourses and waterbodies (hydrological connectivity to the wider environment), groundwater vulnerability, karst features, groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems, cultural heritage including features of archaeological and architectural interest, landscape character areas etc. The output of this study informed the design process for the scheme from an environmental viewpoint. The constraints study was completed in 2021 and can be found here
The next step included for the environmental experts to conduct an environmental assessment of the viable options. This was an iterative process with the engineering team and the steering group to identify an option that delivers the objectives of the scheme whilst seeking to avoid or minimise impacts on the environment. RPS identified the likely environmental impacts for each viable option while also identifying feasible avoidance or mitigation measures and environmental enhancement measures required for each. The potential impacts were described in terms of quality, significance, extent and context, probability, duration and type as defined in the EPA Draft Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) 2017.
Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment
The preferred option was then subjected to Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment screening in accordance with the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU (as amended by EIA Directive 2014/52/EU) and Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC as transposed into Irish legislation under the European Union (Planning and Development) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2018 and Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The outcome of these screening assessments determined that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) were required for the scheme.
The EIAR and NIS for the preferred scheme was completed and was submitted as part of the planning permission application in April 2025 to the newly renamed An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly An Bord Pleanála).
The EIA process ensures that projects likely to have a significant effect on the environment are assessed in advance so that stakeholders are aware of the likely effects. The EIAR set out proposals to address any identified adverse effects and included a non‑technical summary. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published guidelines on the information to be contained in an Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Further consultations were undertaken during preparation of the EIAR.
In October 2025, An Coimisiún Pleanála approved the proposed development subject to a number of conditions.
Any interested individual may obtain a copy of the EIAR prepared for the planning application from the local authority or from An Coimisiún Pleanála (https://www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/case/322329).
Reports
Detailed Design SI - AA Determination
Environmental Constraints Study ( Report | Appendix A | )
AA Screening for Ground Investigation Works ( Report )
AA Screening Determination ( Determination )
