Flooding concerns over plans for new school wall

Residents living in the west side of the city are concerned that the construction of a wall at a local primary school could lead to a potential flood risk.

City planners have given permission to Galway Educate Together National School at Thomas Hynes Road, Newcastle to construct an eight-foot high wall at their property. This decision has now been appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

The primary school was provided back in 2000 and underwent extensions in both 2010 and 2013, with the latter being the most significant with a two-storey eight-classroom extension being provided.

But now the Department of Education has received planning permission to erect a new plastered and capped wall along with a soakaway to remove any surface water generated by the development.

It is stated in the application that the existing storage would have the capacity to take any additional water generated by the construction of the wall – but local residents are concerned over this.

However, the proposed development was assessed by the drainage section of Galway City Council and, following an assessment, they considered the proposals as submitted to be acceptable and they had no objections.

The Department informed city planners that the school authorities will be responsible for the maintenance of the storage tank and soakaway and when the new community centre is provided in the area, there will be a shared agreement entered into.

It has also been confirmed by engineers appointed by the Department that there is no underground stream or underground water feeding into the system. The engineers have indicated how the system will work in an unusual storm or rainfall event with water being diverted into the public mains.

In granting permission for the wall, the City Council imposed three conditions – one of those stated that the construction and commissioning of the surface water soakaway and its connection to the collection tank will be monitored by a fully qualified engineer.

This engineer will submit a report to the City Council certifying the construction and installation of the soakaway and this is in the interest of protecting the residential amenities of the area.

The opposition to the construction of the wall came from Aengus Munnelly and Dr Fiona Gavin from Upper Newcastle Road and Eoin Kelly, Anne Kelly and PJ Costello with an address at Lisheenkyle, Athenry.

It is stated that during the construction of the school and extensions, water was pumped from the site and caused local flooding. Water is continually being pumped from the school grounds, it is claimed.

The objectors have no issue with the new wall being provided as long as it does not lead to an exacerbation of flooding in the immediate area. A decision on the planning appeal will be known in November.