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Home My WebLink About2560353 - Submission - Declan and Lorraine McNameeSubmission Details Submitter Name Declan McNamee Address Moy Etra Castleshane Monaghan H18 NF25 Note In relation to application File Number 2560353 Name McGlone Cathal Address Moy Etra Td. Castleshane Co. Monaghan RECEIVED: 30/09/2025 McNamee Family Residence ‘Wilmslow House’ Moy Etra, Castleshane, Co. Monaghan H18 NF25 30/9/2025 RE: Planning Objection to Planning Application file Number 2560353 To whom it Concerns: We write to lodge an objection to the application made by Cathal McGlone in relation to application for permission for the construction of a single storey bungalow type dwelling house, proprietary wastewater treatment system and polishing filter, construct new entrance onto existing laneway and all other associated site development works Moy Etra Td. Castleshane Co. Monaghan. We are the homeowners on the adjacent site to the left side of the proposed development, and users of the existing laneway, which encompasses a culvert to cross an existing river. A culvert that did not have a ‘section 50’ completed on, is too narrow & shallow to cope with the capacity of the river in times of increased rainfall’. We were granted planning permission by Monaghan County to construct a dwelling house in 2008 and completed this build in July 2011. We are lodging an objection to this application on the grounds that Monaghan County Council has an obligation “to restrict and manage development in certain areas to reduce the risk of exposure to flooding” as referenced in the Monaghan County Development Plan 2019-2025, and The Monaghan Development Plan 2025-2031 states that ‘It is essential that flooding issues are properly considered, and development shall be restricted and/or limited in areas which are at risk of flooding’ and it states that Monaghan County Council will restrict development in areas susceptible to flooding except where: a) The proposed development can be justified on strategic grounds. b) The proposed development has addressed the flooding concerns which exist. c) The flood risk can be managed to an acceptable degree and without increasing flood risk beyond the site itself. RECEIVED: 30/09/2025 d) Appropriate and detailed mitigation measures can be implemented to remove/minimise flood effects. All developments in flood risk areas should be supported with a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA), in accordance with the DECLG The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2009) and Departmental Circular PL2/2014 (or any new or updated/subsequent versions). Monaghan County Council and the OPW are aware of the numerous flooding issues we have experienced since construction of our home. We have been provided assistance by the Civil Defence in the past whereby the river we transverse over has broken its banks, where the culverts reduced capacity has been unable to cope with the excessive volume of water, and the river has travelled and encapsulated our home. We have previously received a ‘Flooding Defence Grant’ from the OPW to try and mitigate the flooding risk of the adjacent river. We have had to raise the level of the ground on the inside of our perimeter dwelling to try and mitigate the risk of flooding which arises yearly in times of excessive rainfall. Any new development on the land adjacent to our home would further contribute and elevate the risk of flooding to our home. This is acknowledged under section “8.35 Surface Water Drainage” in The Monaghan County Development Plan 2019-2025, which states “New development and its associated roads, yards and parking areas increase impervious surfaces which results in an increase in surface water runoff. This has the potential to cause localised flooding and pollution from contaminated surface waters. Surface water runoff is normally dealt with in two ways, either through natural drainage to watercourses; drains, streams, rivers or through artificial drainage systems”. Therefore, when the river is already at maximum capacity, and the traversing culvert cannot cope with the volume of water, the surface water would be forced into the direction of our home. Since taking up occupancy in our home we have been subjected to numerous episodes of prolonged & very heavy rainfall which has resulted in the river bursting it banks at the entrance to our home. This has on occasion prevented us from going to work and we have always retained a supply of sandbags in our garage, to be used on such occasions. The fact that this application has stipulated that ‘they have not completed a Flood Risk Assessment for the works. All hardstand drainage for the development is being treated via a SUD’s infiltration soakaway which ensures that no additional storm waters will be directed towards the river to the west of the site and as such it is our opinion that a Floor Risk Assessment is not required’, is in its self a RECEIVED: 30/09/2025 breach of The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities as this development is in an area at risk of flooding. It is further worrying considering that the EPA state that due to global warming “Climate projections for the next century indicate changes in wind speed and storm track; increased likelihood of river and coastal flooding.” The EPA have already highlighted the changes in precipitation stating “Ireland has seen an increase in average annual national rainfall of approximately 60mm or 5% in the period 1981-2010, compared to the 30- year period 1961-1990. Significant reductions are expected in average levels of annual, spring and summer rainfall. Projections indicate a substantial increase in the frequency of heavy precipitation events in Winter and Autumn (approx. 20%)”. The national Climate Council of Ireland Annual Review 2024: Preparing for Ireland’s Changing Climate have stated that ‘The year 2023 was the warmest and wettest on record for the island of Ireland, replacing 2022 as the previous warmest year on record. Both the heavy winter/spring rainfall and the flooding in Midleton in October 2023 were made more likely and more severe because of climate change. Whilst this occurred in Middleton in 2023, this could be Monaghan in the future. It is stated in the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025- 2031 that ‘The OPW Guidelines and Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 recognise that climate change, including its potential impact on flood risk, is a key consideration for future development. Therefore, Monaghan County Council have a responsibility and a duty of care to our family to ensure that our home is not put at increased risk of flooding due to a further development in this area. See a collection of photographs taken in the past showing effects of high rainfall volumes of the river capacity and flooding into adjacent lands. RECEIVED: 30/09/2025 Date 2.11.22. This view is taken to the right of bridge. The lands are on which this planning application is in reference to. RECEIVED: 30/09/2025 Date 28.10.22. View taken to the left of the existing laneway. And in front of our home entrance. River has burst its bank. Date 30.12.22 Photo on left view or river from roadside L1510. Photo on right View from inside our home, river has travelled up the inside boundary of our home. These photographs are only a sample of what we have experienced, we have a collection of photographs and video’s showing the flooding events that have occurred over the past number of years. As previously stated, the Monaghan County Council, namely Mr. Adrian Hughes & Mr. Donal McElwain are aware of the difficult situation our home is in, in relation to flooding as is the OPW who provided funds in order to support a flood defence. Therefore, it would be counterintuitive to allow further development on this land which would pose a further flooding risk to our home. We also have strong concerns about the width of the bridge across the river when two vehicles meet especially when turning in off the road where any traffic behind may have to come to a standstill until the inside car reverses back to let the vehicle enter the laneway and with the access points to both sites being very close together, this could have potential for collision depending on sight lines and visibility. Yours sincerely, Lorraine McNamee & Declan McNamee Lorraine McNamee Declan McNamee ___________________ __________________ RECEIVED: 30/09/2025