An Bord Pleanala is to hold an oral hearing on the proposed Arklow Flood Relief Scheme, it has been confirmed.
planning application and proposals to compulsorily purchase lands required for the project were lodged with the planning authority in May by Wicklow County Council and the Office of Public Works (OPW).
The proposed scheme would involve the construction of flood defences, an embankment, new debris and gravel traps and public realm improvements.
A spokesperson for An Bord Pleanala confirmed that an oral hearing will take place in relation to the compulsory purchase order (CPO) process, but the planning authority had not made a final decision on whether the hearing would be extended to include the full application.
“It has yet to be decided whether the oral hearing will be confined to the CPO element or will be broadened to include the application proper,” they said, adding that a final decision is expected in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Wicklow County Council’s Chief Executive report for the month of August includes an update on the application. It states that the local authority is expecting an oral hearing as “ there is at least one objection to the CPO by a landowner of a significant plot of land”.
The report also states that Arklow Municipal District had also made a submission to the Bord requesting additional glass panelling at South Quay.
Councillor Peir Leonard, who is part of the Save Maritime Arklow campaign group, said a number of meetings had taken place involving Wicklow County Council and environmental groups to consider the introduction of structures to provide habitat for wildlife.
“Save Maritime Arklow hope some items we suggested will be looked on favourably by the Bord. It’s about everyone working together hand in hand to get the best solution and urban realm design which will benefit the local community, businesses and the environment,” Cllr Leonard said.
The Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW Patrick O’Donovan visited Arklow in July to receive an update on the proposed scheme. During his visit, he walked a section of the Avoca River at the Riverwalk and spoke with local public representatives and engineers about the flood relief scheme.
The estimated cost of Arklow’s flood relief scheme is around €28.5 million.
