HomeMy WebLinkAbout2660003 - F.I. Received Doc. - Flood Risk Assessment
RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 1
FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT
FOR
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SITE
AT MONAGHAN HARPS GAA CLUB, ROOSKY, MONAGHAN
Document No:....................................... MH/FRA
Issue No Description Made Checked Approved Date
A Flood Risk
Assessment -- -- -- 12/05/2026
RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 2
Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.0 DETAILS/CLASSIFICATION OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................. 3
3.0 LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF SITE ......................................................................................................................... 4
4.0 STAGE 1 - FLOOD RISK INDENTIFICATION (SCREENING ASSESSMENT) ............................................................... 6
4.1 Initial Assessment of Potential Sources of Flooding ........................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Review of Available Data Sets ............................................................................................................................................ 6
(a) Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Documents (SFRA) ........................................................................................................ 6
Fig 4.1 – Extract SFRA Mapping (Monaghan Co Co) ................................................................................................................. 6
(c) Visual Inspection and Site Survey ....................................................................................................................................... 7
4.3 Conclusion of the Stage 1 Assessment ................................................................................................................................ 7
5.0 STAGE 2 ASSESSMENT - INITIAL FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT (SCOPING STAGE) ................................................ 8
5.1 Confirmation of Sources of Flooding that may affect the Site ............................................................................................ 8
5.2 Appraisal of the availability and adequacy of existing information .................................................................................... 8
5.3 Comparison of SFRA map to proposed layout and actual site topography ......................................................................... 9
Fig. 5.1 – Initial review of SFRA fluvial and pluvial map and site survey ....................................................................................... 9
5.5 Flood Zone Classification of the Site .................................................................................................................................. 9
Fig. 5.2 – Flood map, topographical survey and proposed layout .................................................................................................. 10
5.6 Appropriateness of the Proposed Development ................................................................................................................. 10
Table 5.1 – Determination of the Appropriateness of the Development ..................................................................................... 11
6.0 PROPOSALS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FLOOD RISK .................................................................................. 11
7.0 COMMENSURATE ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK OF FLOODING ............................................................................... 12
8.0 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................................ 13
RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 3
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 This report is a Site-Specific Flood Risk Assessment for a proposed astro turf playing pitch
at Monaghan Harps GAA Club, Roosky, Monaghan, County Monaghan.
1.2 The report has been carried out in accordance with, and takes into account, the following
documents:
• The Planning System and Flood Risk Management - Guidelines for Planning
Authorities (November 2009) - DOEHLG and OPW
• Planning Policy Guidelines for Flooding – OPW
• Development and Flood Risk. Guidance for the Construction Industry - CIRIA C624
• Guidance for Assessing and Managing Flood Risk for New Developments (2005) –
DEFRA (UK)
1.3 The principle reference document used is ‘The Planning System and Flood Risk
Management - Guidelines for Planning Authorities (November 2009) published by
DOEHLG and OPW. This document is referred to as ‘the Guidelines’ throughout the
remainder of this report.
1.4 Each of these documents recommends that a staged approach should be adopted, carrying
out only such appraisal or assessment as is needed for the purposes of decision-making at
the appropriate level.
2.0 DETAILS/CLASSIFICATION OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
2.1 The proposed development will consist of construction of a new astro turf playing pitch
with 2.40m high metal perimeter fencing and associated netting (combined height 6.40m),
4 no. 12m high columns with 2 floodlights per column, changes to front elevation of
existing club house to include the removal of existing front door, to be replaced with a new
curtain panel system new storage/maintenance shed with a new car parking area,
connection to existing foul rising main and all associated site works. The proposed site
layout is shown on Fig.2.1
2.2 The proposed development type is classified as a ‘Water Compatible Development’ in
Table 3.1 of the ‘Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning
Authorities’ (November 2009) published by the DOEHLG and OPW. RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 4
Fig 2.1 – Proposed Site Layout
3.0 LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF SITE
3.1 The development site is located east of Monaghan Town Centre as shown on Fig.3.1 while
an aerial view of the site and surrounding area is shown on Fig. 3.2
3.2 The existing topography of the site delineated within the planning red line is such that the
land falls north to south toward the river channel to the southern boundary of the site from
56.40m AOD to 54.80m AOD. All levels throughout this report relate to the Malin Head
datum.
3.3 The site is located c.74km (as the crow flies) inland from the Irish Sea. The River Shambles
flow south of the site forming the southern boundary.
Proposed Parking
Existing Pitch
Proposed Astro RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 5
Fig 3.1 – Location Map
Fig 3.2 – Aerial View of Site
Site Location RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 6
4.0 STAGE 1 - FLOOD RISK INDENTIFICATION (SCREENING ASSESSMENT)
4.1 Initial Assessment of Potential Sources of Flooding
4.1.1 Fluvial Flooding is considered to be a possible flood risk at this stage of the assessment
given that relative proximity of the site to the river channel.
4.1.2 Pluvial Flooding is considered to be a possible flood risk at this stage of the assessment
given the flat topography of lands in the immediate vicinity of the subject site.
4.1.3 Coastal Flooding is not considered to be a possible flood risk at this stage of the assessment
given the location of the site relative to the Irish Sea.
4.1.4 Groundwater Flooding is not considered to be a possible flood risk at this stage of the
assessment given the presence of unproductive bedrock features in the area.
4.2 Review of Available Data Sets
(a) Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Documents (SFRA)
4.2.1 Monaghan County Council prepared a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Report (SFRA)
for Settlement Centres within the County Area.
4.2.2 An extract of the SFRA map (figure 4.1 below) presents the most up to date flood model
for the river in this area. The subject site appears to be close to Flood Zones A
(1in100/green hatch) and B (1in1000/yellow hatch) extents. The map also indicates
possible pluvial within the main carpark area and some parts of the proposed red line site.
Fig 4.1 – Extract SFRA Mapping (Monaghan Co Co) RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 7
(b) Historic Flood Event Data
4.2.3 Historic Flood Event Data is available via the OPW flood mapping website floodmaps.ie.
The available data provides historical evidence of flooding having occurred during extreme
conditions. There are no recorded flood events in the vicinity of the subject site.
(c) Visual Inspection and Site Survey
4.2.4 The site was inspected on 15/04/2026. The red line area forms part of a larger GAA grounds
and is covered in varying materials, including, bitumen macadam, gravel and grass. No
flooding was evident during the site inspection.
4.3 Conclusion of the Stage 1 Assessment
4.3.1 No firm evidence of actual flooding having occurred at the site in the past has been found.
4.3.2 The SFRA map indicates that it is possible to rule out coastal flooding as well as
groundwater flooding.
4.3.3 The SFRA map indicates that the subject site is in close proximity to modelled Flood Zone
A and B from the River Shambles along the southern boundary. The map also indicates the
possibility of some pluvial flooding within the red line area.
4.3.7 It is therefore concluded that the assessment should proceed onto Stage 2 (Scoping Stage)
and concentrate on the potential of the site being subject to fluvial flooding from the river
channel and pluvial flooding within the subject area. RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 8
5.0 STAGE 2 ASSESSMENT - INITIAL FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT (SCOPING
STAGE)
5.1 Confirmation of Sources of Flooding that may affect the Site
5.1.1 The Stage 1 Assessment has identified fluvial and pluvial flooding as the most likely
potential sources of flooding that may affect the site.
5.1.2 The identified source and pathway for this flooding are:
Source of Flooding Pathway
Exceptionally high and prolonged rainfall
High flows in the open channel exceeding
the channel banks and overflowing onto
surrounding lands
5.2 Appraisal of the availability and adequacy of existing information
5.2.1 The most relevant items of available information are considered to be the:
a) Monaghan County Council SFRA map
b) Topographical Survey
5.2.2 Monaghan County Council’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) was an undertaken
in 2018 to inform and assist in the preparation of the Monaghan County Council
Development Plan. These maps indicate the extent of the predicted fluvial flooding and
pluvial Flooding.
5.2.3 However the SFRA maps are based on a LiDAR Topographical survey and should be
recognized as being preliminary only and not to be fully accurate at a local level.
5.2.4 The topographical survey of the site offers concise and highly accurate details of ground
levels throughout the site and surrounding lands. The topographical survey therefore
represents an important site-specific data set which shall allow a more accurate
determination of the location and extent of flooding that shall occur during extreme and
prolonged rainfall events in conjunction with the SFRA map.
5.2.5 It is therefore proposed in order to determine the location and extents of fluvial and
pluvial flooding, if any, to use these data sources to compare the SFRA model extents to
the actual contours of the site from the topographical survey. RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 9
5.3 Comparison of SFRA map to proposed layout and actual site topography
5.3.1 Refer to figure 5.1 below, SFRA map overlaid with site topographical survey. The open
channel is represented by the main solid blue line. The 100 and 1000 year fluvial events
are represented with green and yellow hatching respectively. The purple hatching
represents modelled pluvial flooding in the area.
Fig. 5.1 – Initial review of SFRA fluvial and pluvial map and site survey
5.4 Impact of Flood Waters
5.4.1 It would appear that the modelled fluvial flooding seems to reflect the topography of the
area. Refer to figure 5.2 below, SFRA map overlaid with site topographical survey. The
majority of the flooding associated with the 100 and 1000 year events (green and yellow
hatch) appears to lie south of the river channel, with minimal flood waters from either AEP
encroaching into the subject site red line area. The purple hatching represents pluvial
flooding, however, does not appear to reflect the ground levels nor physical make of the
site, with ground levels falling north to south (no low spots/pockets) and slopped roof areas
associated with the club house and seating stand.
5.5 Flood Zone Classification of the Site
5.5.1 The Planning Policy Guidelines for Flooding define three levels of fluvial flood zones as
follows:
• Zone A – probability of flooding is greater than 1 in 100 years
• Zone B – probability of flooding is between 1 in 100 years and 1 in 1000 years
• Zone C – probability of flooding is less than 1 in 1000 years RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 10
5.5.2 On this basis, see figure 5.2 below. The proposed astro pitch and any necessary regrading
of ground levels in that area does not interact with the proposed fluvial flood extents and
therefore shall not cause any displacement of flood waters associated with the development.
The roadway leading to the proposed new car parking area shall reflect existing ground
levels as will the proposed parking spaces perpendicular to the boundary and channel. In
this regard, there will be no displacement of these minimal, if any, flood waters in this area.
The ground levels and physical roof areas leave it highly unlikely for any pluvial flooding
to occur as indicated by purple hatching below.
Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the majority of the site within the red line area
lies in Flood Zone C.
Fig. 5.2 – Flood map, topographical survey and proposed layout
5.6 Appropriateness of the Proposed Development
5.6.1 The consequences of flooding in general include: risks to persons who will use the
development; the damage to buildings and structures and the potential environmental
damage. RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 11
5.6.2 The Guidelines recognize that the extent of the consequences of flooding are highly
dependent on the development type and Table 3.1 accordingly groups development types
into three different classes as follows:
• Highly Vulnerable Development
• Less Vulnerable Development
• Water –compatible Development
5.6.3 The proposed recreational development can be classified as ‘a water compatible
development’ as per Table 3.1 of the Guidelines.
5.6.4 Table 3.2 of the Guidelines (reproduced as Table 5.1 of this report) provides a matrix of
vulnerability versus flood zone which defines what type of development can be considered
as being ‘appropriate’ for a particular flood zone and what type of development must
satisfy a ‘Justification Test’ before it can be deemed suitable.
5.6.5 In this particular case, based on Monaghan County Council’s SFRA map and the site
specific topographical survey, it is our opinion that the proposed development does NOT
need to satisfy the criteria set out in the Justification Test for Development Management
(Box 5.1 of the Flood Guidelines) and is deemed ‘APPROPRIATE’ development as per
the Flood Management Guidelines.
Table 5.1 – Determination of the Appropriateness of the Development
(Source: Table 3.2 of the Flood Guidelines)
6.0 PROPOSALS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FLOOD RISK
6.1 The only potentially affected area within the proposed red line area to the risk of flooding
based on the SFRA map is a small portion of the roadway leading to new car parking spaces
and a portion of the car parking spaces themselves all at very low water depths, if any. We
recommend simple signage in this area warning car owners of the potential of flood risk
under extreme events. RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 12
7.0 COMMENSURATE ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK OF FLOODING
7.1 Likelihood of Building Flooding
There is no building within the SFRA modelled fluvial flood events.
7.2 Structural Damage to the Building
There is no building within the SFRA modelled fluvial flood events.
7.3 Economic or Environmental Damage
7.3.1 Overall the economic consequences of flooding of the site are considered to be negligible.
7.3.2 The possibility of sea water contamination of a well providing drinking water is not an issue
in this case.
7.3.3 It is not proposed to carry out any environmental sensitive activity nor to store hazardous
material at the site.
7.4 Access to/from Site
7.4.1 Existing/proposed access to/from the site shall not be prevented during current 1.0% or
0.1% AEP Flood events.
7.5 Danger to persons
7.5.1 Danger to persons is not a concern.
7.6 Impact on existing Communal Flood Protection Infrastructure
7.6.1 Existing flood protection measures shall not be impacted upon by the proposed
development. RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
Monaghan Harps Flood Risk Assessment
Coyle Civil & Structural July 2026 Page 13
7.7 Impact of Flow Paths
7.7.1 The location of the pitch and new parking spaces shall have no material impact on flow
paths or cause the displacement of flood waters onto other lands.
8.0 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
8.1 The proposed development is a ‘water compatible development’ from a flood risk
perspective.
8.2 Screening Assessment shows that the site is in close proximity to the 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000
year fluvial flooding as per Monaghan County Council SFRA Map.
8.3 Scoping Assessment and closer examination of the site-specific topographical survey and
SFRA Map shows that the map flood extents does not interact with the proposed astro pitch
position. Some minimal interaction on the roadway and parking adjacent to the channel.
Pluvial flooding as indicated on the map when reviewed against the topographical survey
and physical makeup in the area suggested area does not appear to be plausible.
8.4 In this regard, based on Monaghan County Council’s SFRA map and a site-specific
topographical survey, the main site associated with this development is considered to be
located in Flood Zone C.
8.5 A commensurate assessment of the risks of flooding associated with the development
concludes that:
• No buildings interact with the modelled fluvial flood extents.
• The economic and environmental impact of any flooding shall be minimal.
• Access to/from the site shall remain possible even during a 1.0% AEP flood event.
• The proposed development shall have no impact on the management of, or access to,
existing communal flood protection measures.
8.6 The proposed development is deemed to be ‘appropriate development’ based on Table 3.2
of the Flood Management Guidelines and applying Monaghan County Council’s SFRA
map relative to the site-specific topographical survey.
8.7 In summary it is concluded that the proposed development meets the aims and objectives
of the ‘Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines’ and shall not represent
an unacceptable flooding risk nor exacerbate flooding in the immediate vicinity or wider
area. RECEIVED: 10/08/2026
RECEIVED: 10/08/2026