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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2660115 - F.I. Received Doc. - FI Cover letterALAN CLARKE &ASSOCIATESYORKSTREET,CASTLEBLAYNEY,CO MONAGHANt:+353 (0)42 9740071 f:+353 (0)42 9754726 e:info@alanclarke.ie ALAN CLARKE –CHARTERED ENGINEER,BE MIEI > Planning Department Monaghan Co Co The Glen Co Monaghan 21st May 2026 25196/AC/LT01 Re: Proposed Graveyard Extension at St Mary’s Church, Connabury/Onomy, Castleblayney. Co Monaghan Planning Reference 26/60115 To whom it may concern, The further information (FI) request conditions dated 19th May 2026 in relation to the above referenced planning application refers. We wish to set out the following in relation to the engineering elements of this planning application which addresses the relevant information sought in the FI request. Please note that the items requested in Item 1.(a) and 1.(b) below were included as part of the planning application documentation prepared for submission with the original application, however due to an issue with the uploading of the documents, these do not appear to have been received by the planning authority. Item 1. (a) A competed and Water Protection Checklist is included as part of this submission. This should be read in conjunction with the attached drawings – in particular drawing reference 25196- 500 Site Drainage Layout. Items 1. (b) A Hydrogeological Report prepared by Traynor Environmental Ltd is included as part of this submission. This assessment is based on a desktop study of the site, a physical site assessment and trial holes excavated on site. The report includes;  geology and subsoil assessment,  groundwater vulnerability,  aquifer classification,  recharge characteristics,  groundwater flow direction,  groundwater body status,  trial pit investigations,  percolation testing. The report includes a soil investigation to confirm the suitability of the site for burial purposes. Item 1. (c) This item requests that nature-based solutions be incorporated in the surface water management for the proposed development. Drawing reference 25196-500 indicates the overall layout of the proposed graveyard extension and the proposed means of surface water management. We have prepared and attached drawing reference 25196-502, indicating the proposed site finishes and clarifying the extent of the site that will be finished with grassed surfacing and permeable gravel roads. The overall scheme has been designed and laid using a nature-based layout, which takes account of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage guidance document on Nature-based Solutions to the Management of Rainwater and Surface Water Runoff in Urban Areas, in so far as possible while providing the basic infrastructure and access required to operate the site as a burial ground. At the initial scheme design stage for the graveyard, a decision was made to develop the new graveyard on the basis that all grave plots would be set in grassed areas, without the use of traditional paved grave plots with cut stone surrounds etc. The grassed plots will be accessed via unpaved RECEIVED: 22/05/2026 roads finished with gravel surfacing on a stone subbase. This arrangement is as shown on the Typical Burial Grave Plot Layout detail on drawing 25196-530 and on drawing 25196-502. Photos from a similar recently constructed graveyard in the Dublin area are appended to this letter. This decision was based on a desire to minimise the extent of paved surface that would be required to facilitate the graveyard development and to maximise the amount of green space that would be retained in the completed graveyard. This allows us to achieve a regime for rainwater management which as close as possible to the site in its current, pre-development state, where most of the rainfall onto the land is discharged to ground via the unsealed ground surface, and to meet the objectives of the utilisation of nature-based solutions. A limited extent of macadam surfaced access roads are proposed as shown on the drawings submitted with the planning application, in order to provide access to the two levels of the graveyard. The requirement for two lines of road is a function of the topography of the existing site which slopes significantly down from east to west and the existing topography would not allow for the provision of safe access and efficient use of the site, with its existing gradient, as a graveyard. The run-off from the paved surfaces is attenuated and filtered via the proposed attenuation area. This attenuation area requires to be formed as a below ground chamber type element due to the topography of the existing site and the consequent land take space requirements that would be associated with the use of pond type storage. In the context of the overall proposed development site of approx. 9,500sq.m, approximately 2,100sq.m is under paved road surface, or 22%. The remainder of the site is finished with grassed surface and gravel roads. Some ancillary areas such as plinths for headstones, the modular block retaining walls and the base for the columbarium walls will run-off to the adjacent unsealed surfaces. As there are no buildings proposed as part of the development and the land remains predominantly finished with grass and permeable gravel roads, the proposed provisions are considered to be adequate in terms of the provision of nature-based rain-water management. The above approach is consistent with the objectives and characteristics of Nature-based solutions as set out in the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage publication, Nature-based Solutions to the Management of Rainfall and Surface Water in Urban Areas, which seeks to manage rainwater at or immediately below ground level though planted areas, while managing flood risk and protecting receiving water bodies using site features that protect natural habitats, support sustainable ecosystems, preserve natural hydrological systems while catering for climate change. We trust you find the above in order, however, if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours sincerely, _________________________ Alan Clarke Chartered Engineer Alan Clarke & Associates RECEIVED: 22/05/2026 Photographs RECEIVED: 22/05/2026 Photograph 1 – Grassed burial plots with plinth for headstones Photograph – Gravel road providing access to grassed burial plots RECEIVED: 22/05/2026 Photograph 3 – Columbarium area with planting and permeable paths RECEIVED: 22/05/2026