|
[Press Release: Aygust 21st, 2008] Climate Change hits Ireland & BrayGreen Party Councillors in Bray have welcomed the Government's Flood Management Plan which will go for public consultation in the coming weeks. They also welcome an Bord Pleanala's decision in regards to the Flood Protection Scheme for Bray however it is Green Party policy not to build on a flood plain. The opportunity is there to keep at least part of the flood plain free from development and instead create a linear park from the Peoples Park to the harbour.Cathaoirleach of Bray, Cllr. Ciaran O'Brien said "The cold reality of climate change has come as a shock to local residents. Last weekend Bray Town Council, Councillors and many Residents were out tackling the overflows and flooding in parts of Bray - unblocking drains and laying out sandbags where necessary. The watercourses from Bray Head, Sugarloaf and Fassaroe burst in numerous places. Flash flooding occurred in many area’s, some of which never had any previous history of flooding. Others areas have had development nearby in the last ten years and it is clear that the drainage and storm water drains put in by Developers, which were approved by both Bray Town Council and An Bord Pleanala are totally incapable of dealing with heavy downpours that we are now experiencing." Cllr. Caroline Burrell said "We welcome the Government's draft planning guidelines on flood risk management which will require national, regional and local planners to avoid development in areas at risk of flooding and ensure proper flood risk management is carried out before planning permission is given. In the intermediate term - there is no doubt that the capacity of watercourses in the town must now be increased significantly. Drains & gulleys must be kept clear at all times (as the Green Party Cllrs. have requested at the beginning of each year which has been carried out). Future developments will need rigorous scrutiny in regard to surface run off and drainage. These Flood Risk guidelines will go for public consultation in the Autumn. We would urge Residents to put in a submission, particularly highlighting areas where they have had problems so we can look at addressing these." Cllr. Steve Matthew said "It is important that all political representatives, particularly at local levels, get behind the planning guidelines in place. Too often we have seen rezoning carried out on flood plains, with devastating results for residents who buy, unaware, that their home is at risk. We cannot have a continuing situation where the Minister for the Environment is forced to intervene in bad planning decisions at a local level to prevent future flooding disasters. It is up to local authorities to assess their flood risks, to put flood management plans in place and prevent development on any flood plains. It is up to us as local politicians to ensure the proper legislation is in place to account for this." "Extreme weather conditions, such as the mass flooding we've seen in Bray town, Limerick, Dublin and in Belfast, can almost certainly be related to the changing weather patterns, as predicted by climate change experts. It is not until these weather conditions actually strike that people realise the devastating effects that climate change will bring"
For further information please contact:
|