HomeMy WebLinkAbout2560463 - Report Received from Internal Staff - EnvironmentENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
To: Donna McEvoy – A/Executive Scientist
From: Martina McPhillips (Environment Section – Waste Team)
Re: 2560463 Ronan Boyd Binmore, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan.
Consultants: Michael Hetherton Architectural and Engineering Services Ltd.
Permission: planning permission for a development which will consist of the re-contouring of
existing undulating agricultural farmland to include the importation of green field
soil and stone in order to raise the levels of the land together with all ancillary site
development works under an Article 27 declaration. The lands will be covered with
topsoil and reseeded with grass when completed
Planner: Catherine McGuigan
Date: 06/05/2026
__________________________________________________________________________________
Recommendations
The following additional information was requested:
a) A revised site layout plan (1:500) clearly demonstrating:
I. An adequate buffer zone from drainage ditch identified on the development
site and surrounding lands.
II. The applicant shall demonstrate on the revised site layout plan the location of
a wheel wash structure and a waste quarantine area onsite.
Drawing entitled Topo Survey Existing Levels shows a 10m exclusion zone around the wetland
area to the north of the site and a 10m exclusion zone positioned around the land drain to
the west of the site, with no filling to take place within these areas. The northern part of the
site identified as vulnerable to pluvial flooding is to be omitted from infilling as per Application
- Cover Letter received.
Location of a wheel wash structure and a waste quarantine area are demonstrated on the
revised drawing. Specification on the wheel wash system received. A 7m buffer zone has
been noted in areas where the Knotweed has been identified in reports, prepared by ESC
Environmental Ltd.
b) The applicant shall consult with a qualified environmental consultant to confirm the
absence of the invasive Japanese Knotweed within the proposed site boundary.
Submit a letter/report of the findings to Environment services. If Japanese Knotweed
found to be present, applicant shall submit a Japanese Knotweed management plan
outlining a strategy to control and eradicate the plant on site, submit all receipts.
A detailed Japanese Knotweed Management Plan and an Invasive Species Survey Report was
received as part of FI. ESC Environmental Ltd. identified 10 stands of Japanese Knotweed
(Fallopia japonica) across the site: notably along the western drainage ditch and along either
side of the road going through the centre of the site.
The Japanese Knotweed Management Plan outlines management methods to be put in place
to control the Knotweed. Site specific preferred methods/treatments include a combination
of avoidance, in situ herbicide treatment, and bunding which will control and eradicate the
plant on-site without excavating or transporting contaminated soil away from the property.
Best practice measures have been included in this report such as clearly mark the infested
area, allow a buffer zone around the plant/stand and clear signage to indicate the presence
of Japanese Knotweed.
The knotweed to the west of the site is to be fenced off and a 7m buffer zone will be
implemented around the Japanese Knotweed. The knotweed present here will be treated
annually with herbicide, both injection and spraying, until there is no evidence of the species
reemerging. Knotweed identified beside the buildings, and the road will be bunded prior to
treating on site. A bund is to be constructed in the southern section of the site to contain
knotweed containing materials. This enclosed area is then completely lined with root barrier
membrane to prevent the spread of knotweed outside of the prescribed bund. An excavator
within a containment area will remove the contaminated stand and surrounding soil,
transport it to a prepared bund for stem injection and annual spraying.
Treatment of Japanese Knotweed will be supervised and overseen by suitably qualified
Environmental Scientist. ESC Environmental Ltd can include a 3-year aftercare/monitoring in
their service to ensure no regrowth or spread is taking place.
I have no objection to planning subject to the following conditions:
A) Any infill material imported on site shall conform to one of the following;
i. Economic operator shall utilise EPA Article 27 notification in moving soil infill
material from one site to another. Official correspondence from the EPA
granting approval shall be submitted to the Planning Authority prior to
commencement of development.
Or
ii. Buy topsoil material as a product for final landscaping purposes only.
Documentation demonstrating purchases shall be submitted to Planning
Authority.
B) Prior to commencement of the infilling works, the applicant shall install a mobile
wheel wash - this must be functional at all times during the proposed infilling timeline
and be maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines.
C) The applicant shall ensure that all water used in the wheel wash, shall be recycled for
further use in the wheel washing process.
D) Waste Quarantine Areas must be clearly identifiable in situ and separate from fill area.
E) Any material and plant/machinery leaving the site should be inspected and dry
cleaned in a designated area
F) All Japanese Knotweed is to be fenced off with a buffer zone of 7 metres from the
closest above ground stems.
G) Erect signs identifying Japanese Knotweed, exclusion zones, and excavation warnings.
Limit access to areas using secure fencing as per report Japanese Knotweed
Management Plan.
H) Any excess soil generated during the construction phase which cannot be reused on
site shall be disposed/recovered at an appropriately permitted facility in accordance
with the requirements of the Local Government (Waste Management) Act 1996 as
amended using authorised waste collectors authorised to collect the type of material
for disposal at authorised treatment facilities
I) The developer shall ensure that adequate measures and precautions are in place for
the construction phase to ensure there is no discharge of polluting matter/sediment
laden waters discharging from the site to any watercourse. These measures shall take
account of the Guidance produced by Inland Fisheries Ireland titled “Requirements for
the Protection of Fisheries Habitat during Construction and Development Works at
River Sites”, available to download at
https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/documents/624-guidelines-on-protection-of-
fisheries-during-construction-works-in-and-adjacent-to-waters/file.html
J) The applicant shall maintain a buffer zone of a minimum of 10m between the area of
infilling and the perimeter boundaries of the site and any watercourse/land
drain/wetland area within the site. No material shall be deposited within this area.
K) The applicant shall erect a silt fence to ensure the maintenance of a 10m buffer strip
from all watercourses/wetlands. This fence is to be erected prior to the
commencement of any filling activities.
L) The applicant shall engage a qualified environmental consultant for completion of a
Japanese Knotweed aftercare plan to ensure the plant is fully eradicated and to
prevent further spread. Implement a 3–5-year monitoring and inspection schedule,
maintain comprehensive records, including inspection findings, treatment dates, and
chemical usage.
M) Monaghan County Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland shall be informed promptly of
an accidental spillage of sediment laden waters, fuel, machine oil or any polluting
discharge which may threaten the quality of any watercourse or groundwater body.
N) Any fuels, oils, greases, hazardous liquid wastes and hydraulic fluids within the site
area shall be stored on site, away from any watercourses in a bunded, leak-proof, and
lockable storage area. Note that bunds are to be designed to contain 110% of the
capacity of the largest storage container located within the bund. There shall be no
overflow drain facility from any bunds on site, and all filling and off-take points shall
be located within a bund.
O) Any contaminated soil and stone/hazardous waste arising from either the
construction phase of the development or entering the site shall be stored in a suitable
receptacle in the designated quarantine area prior to removal off site to an authorised
facility.
P) Emergency spill kits shall be maintained on site at all times in the event of an
accidental spill. Drip trays and absorbent mats shall also be maintained on site at all
times.
Q) The importation of inert soil and stone shall be carried out only between the hours of
08:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Friday and between the hours of 08:00 and 13:00 on
Saturdays.
R) Machinery used onsite shall be parked away from any watercourses, and any repair
work required shall be untaken off-site.
S) To further reduce the likelihood of spread of any invasive species, all vehicles and
equipment used at the site should be thoroughly cleaned every night and before
leaving the site.
T) A suction sweeper or similar is to be made available at all times to ensure that the
public roads leading to the site are kept in a clean and safe condition.
U) The applicant shall ensure completely separate foul and surface water drainage
systems are in place.
V) Facilities shall be provided for the collection and segregation of recyclable waste.
Wastes shall be collected for recycling/reuse whenever feasible or otherwise disposed
of in accordance with the Waste Management Act 1996 as amended.
Prepared By:
Date: 06/05/2026
Environment Technician
Approved Date: 08/05/2026
A/Executive Scientist