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Home My WebLink About2660123 - F.I. Received Doc. - Construction and Environmental Management Plan (CEMP)Dawson St, Monaghan Town, Phone; 086 8368643 Email; info@aidansherlock.ie Construction and Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) Proposed modular classroom building, Urbleshanny National School Carrowhatta Td., Scotstown, Co. Monaghan Planning Register Ref: 26/60123 Prepared for: Board of Management, Urbleshanny National School Prepared by: Aidan Sherlock, Aidan Sherlock & Associates Date: 27th July 2026 Rev: [ A ] This CEMP is submitted in support of the response to the Further Information request of 22 May 2026 (item 3(a)) and is to be read in conjunction with the application drawings and the revised Site Layout Plan. 1. Introduction and purpose 1.1 Purpose This Construction and Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) sets out the measures by which the construction of the proposed modular classroom building at Urbleshanny National School will be managed to protect water quality. It has been prepared to address the Planning Authority’s Further Information request and demonstrates how the works will be carried out without discharge of polluting matter or sediment-laden water to any waters, with specific regard to the protection of the groundwater aquifer and the River Blackwater. 1.2 Scope of works covered The CEMP applies to the full construction phase, including site set-up and welfare, ground preparation and excavation, the blockwork plinth (raising the building 300mm above finished ground level), placement and fit-out of the modular unit, the external access ramp (1:20) and steps, the foul drainage connection to the public sewer, the storm drainage connection to the existing storm line, and all associated site works and reinstatement. 1.3 Objectives – prevent any discharge of silt, sediment-laden water, concrete/cementitious washwater, hydrocarbons or other polluting matter to surface water or groundwater; – protect the underlying groundwater aquifer and the receiving surface water network draining to the River Blackwater; – implement best practice in accordance with the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) guidelines; and – provide a clear monitoring, inspection and incident-response regime for the duration of the works. RECEIVED: 05/08/2026 2. Legislative and guidance context The CEMP has been prepared having regard to the following, which represent the principal best- practice and statutory references for the protection of waters during construction: – Inland Fisheries Ireland (2016) — Guidelines on the Protection of Fisheries During Construction Works in and Adjacent to Waters (the primary reference for this plan); – CIRIA C532 / C648 / C649 — Control of water pollution from construction sites, and CIRIA C741 — Environmental good practice on site; – Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 and 1990, as amended; – European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations (Water Framework Directive) and associated environmental quality standards; – Inland Fisheries Acts and the Fisheries Acts (prohibition on entry of deleterious matter to waters); and – EPA guidance on the management of construction-phase environmental risk. 3. Site description and environmental setting 3.1 The site Urbleshanny National School occupies a site of approximately 1.280 hectares at Carrowhatta Townland, Scotstown, Co. Monaghan. The proposed modular classroom (approximately 12.5m × 7.1m) is located to the east of the existing school buildings. The site is served by the public foul sewer (Scotstown Wastewater Treatment Plant) and an existing storm drainage network. 3.2 Topography and ground conditions The site generally already developed with a concrete yards finish. There is no proposed changes to the levels on the site. Subsoils and bedrock will not be disturbed in the process of putting this modular building in place. 3.3 Hydrogeology — groundwater The bedrock aquifer at the site is classified by the Geological Survey Ireland as Ll – locally important, with a groundwater vulnerability rating of Low. The aquifer is therefore a sensitive receptor, particularly where vulnerability is elevated and pathways to depth are short. 3.4 Hydrology — surface water and the River Blackwater Surface water from the site discharges via the existing storm network. The nearest open watercourse / drain is located approximately 250m to the west of the works. The site lies within the catchment of the River Blackwater, which is the ultimate surface-water receptor and is of fisheries and conservation value. All construction-phase controls are designed to ensure no deterioration of water quality in this receiving system. 3.5 Designated sites The applicant should confirm by screening whether any European site (SAC/SPA) lies hydrologically downstream of the works. The pollution-prevention measures in this CEMP are protective of any such downstream receptor. 4. Roles and responsibilities – Board of Management (Client): ensures the appointed contractor is bound by this CEMP through the works contract. – Main Contractor / Site Manager: responsible for day-to-day implementation, supervision, toolbox talks, record-keeping and immediate incident response. – Designated Environmental Manager / Clerk of Works: oversees the inspection and monitoring regime, verifies controls are in place and maintained, and is the point of contact for the Planning Authority and IFI. – Contractor to be confirmed, Assigned certifier = Aidan Sherlock RECEIVED: 05/08/2026 5. Source–pathway–receptor: identification of pollution pathways The principal construction-phase pollutant linkages have been assessed using the source– pathway–receptor model. A pathway is only of concern where a source can reach a receptor; the mitigation in Section 6 is designed to break each linkage. Source (construction activity) Pathway Receptor Excavation, stockpiles, exposed ground → silt / sediment-laden runoff Overland flow to site gullies / storm network; or to nearest drain/watercourse River Blackwater (surface water / fisheries) Concrete / mortar / cement washwater (plinth blockwork, foundations) Spillage to ground and infiltration; or to drains Groundwater aquifer; River Blackwater Fuels, oils, hydraulic fluids (plant, generators, storage) Spill / leak → infiltration through vulnerable subsoil; or runoff to drains Groundwater aquifer; River Blackwater Foul drainage during connection works Misconnection / overflow to storm line River Blackwater Dewatering of excavations Direct discharge of silty water to drains/ground Groundwater aquifer; River Blackwater 6. Pollution prevention and mitigation measures 6.1 General site management – the working area will be kept to the minimum necessary; exposed ground will be minimised and stabilised/reinstated promptly; – clean surface water from outside the working area will be diverted away from open excavations, and dirty water will be prevented from leaving the working area; – a stabilised site access/egress will be maintained and roads kept clean to prevent tracking of silt off site; – toolbox talks on pollution prevention will be delivered to all site personnel before relevant works. 6.2 Surface water and sediment control – silt fencing and/or sediment traps will be installed down-gradient of all earthworks and maintained until ground is reinstated; – no silt-laden or untreated water will be discharged to any drain, watercourse or to ground; runoff will be settled/treated and re-used or tankered off site if necessary; – gullies and storm inlets in the vicinity will be protected with silt sacks/filters throughout the works; – works likely to mobilise sediment will be avoided during, and immediately before forecast, heavy rainfall where practicable. 6.3 Concrete, mortar and cementitious materials – a single dedicated, lined and bunded washout area will be established well away from drains and the site boundary; no washout to ground, gullies or watercourses will be permitted; – wet concrete and mortar (including for the blockwork plinth) will be managed to prevent contact with surface water; alkaline/cementitious washwater will be contained, allowed to settle and pH-corrected before lawful disposal; – deliveries will be supervised and chute washing confined to the washout area. 6.4 Fuels, oils and chemicals – fuels, oils and chemicals will be stored within bunded/double-skinned facilities (110% of the largest container) on hardstanding, away from drains and the site boundary; RECEIVED: 05/08/2026 – refuelling will take place in a designated area over drip trays, attended at all times; mobile plant will be checked daily for leaks; – spill kits will be located at the storage area, refuelling point and welfare area, and personnel trained in their use. 6.5 Excavation and dewatering – excavations will be kept open for the shortest time practicable; any water arising will be passed through settlement/treatment before any lawful discharge — no direct discharge of silty water to ground or drains. 6.6 Foul and storm drainage connections – the foul connection will be made to the public sewer only; foul and storm systems will be kept fully separate and tested to confirm no cross-connection; – the storm connection to the existing storm line will be protected during construction, with silt controls in place until the contributing area is stabilised. 6.7 Dust, waste and general – dust will be controlled by damping down and good housekeeping; – wastes will be segregated, stored securely and removed by permitted contractors to authorised facilities; there will be no burning or burying of waste on site. 7. Water quality monitoring programme A monitoring regime comprising daily visual inspection and weekly surface-water sampling (physical and chemical parameters) will be implemented for the duration of the construction works, as required by the Planning Authority. 7.1 Monitoring point locations Three monitoring points will be established and shown on the Environmental Monitoring Location Plan (Appendix A). Exact positions and Irish Grid / ITM references are to be fixed on site and recorded X661070 & Y837253 Point Location / rationale Type MP1 Receiving drain/watercourse upstream of the site — control/baseline (unaffected by works) Upstream control MP2 Receiving drain/watercourse immediately downstream of the site — detects any site influence Downstream compliance MP3 Site discharge point / outlet of sediment control prior to the storm connection Site discharge 7.2 Daily visual checks On each working day the Environmental Manager (or delegate) will visually inspect MP1–MP3 and the condition of all pollution controls, recording: water colour/clarity and any visible turbidity plume; any oil sheen, foam or debris; the integrity of silt fences, traps, gully protection and the concrete washout; and the condition of fuel/chemical storage. Findings are entered in the daily site environmental log; any adverse observation triggers the response in Section 8. 7.3 Weekly surface-water monitoring (physical and chemical) At least weekly, paired samples will be taken at MP1 (upstream) and MP2 (downstream), with MP3 sampled when discharging, and the following parameters measured (field meter where appropriate, with laboratory analysis as required): – pH; – temperature (°C); – electrical conductivity; RECEIVED: 05/08/2026 – turbidity and/or suspended solids; – dissolved oxygen; – ammonia; and – visual/where indicated, hydrocarbons. Baseline: a baseline set of readings will be taken at all points before works commence, to establish the natural (upstream) condition against which construction-phase results are compared. 7.4 Trigger / action levels Compliance is assessed primarily by comparison of the downstream point against the upstream control. The following triggers apply: Parameter Trigger (downstream vs upstream) Action Visible turbidity / suspended solids Any visible plume; downstream materially elevated above upstream control Stop relevant activity; check & reinstate sediment controls; investigate; record pH Outside ~6–9, or notable shift from upstream Halt concrete/washout works; identify source; contain Oil / hydrocarbon sheen Any sheen observed Deploy spill kit; isolate; invoke Section 8 notification Dissolved oxygen / ammonia Significant deterioration downstream vs upstream Investigate, isolate source, notify as required Baseline-informed numeric limits to be confirmed by the Environmental Manager once upstream baseline data is established; results to be retained and made available to the Planning Authority / IFI on request. 8. Incident and emergency response In the event of a spill or pollution incident: stop the activity; contain at source using spill kits/booms and prevent entry to drains or watercourses; remove and dispose of contaminated material via a permitted contractor; record the incident; and notify the relevant bodies without delay where there is a risk to waters. 9. Records, reporting and review – a daily site environmental log and the weekly monitoring results will be maintained on site and retained for the duration of the works; – the CEMP will be reviewed if site conditions, weather or the programme change materially, and updated as necessary; – records will be made available to the Planning Authority and IFI on request. Prepared by: Aidan Sherlock, Assigned Design and Assigned certifier. B.Sc. Buld Sur, MA MALT. Aidan Sherlock & Associates — on behalf of the Board of Management, Urbleshanny National School RECEIVED: 05/08/2026