Guijt-Lawlor says no to development on Flood Plains
Issued : Monday 11 May, 2009
Areas : Flood Plains of the river Barrow
Labour hopeful Margaret Guijt-Lawlor is very disappointed that yet again our councillors have missed an opportunity to get it right. She says,” After the last Tesco submission for planning permission to build on a flood plain was turned down by An Bord Pleanala, Councillor Paul Mitchell stated that they would be looking at other locations for this development. This week he is telling us that Tesco should try again in the same location because “only half the field floods?!” What happened to the plan to look at other suitable locations? And has everyone forgot the famous flood plain report that states an investment of 10 million euros is needed to upgrade our floodplains before any more development can proceed?“
Ms. Guijt-Lawlor thinks it’s time we started dealing in reality. “It is a reality that every new square meter of concrete and every centimetre of raised land within a mile radius of our rivers has a direct impact on our flood plains. Any farmer with land on the banks of our rivers can show you the direct result of this as their lands are being flooded more each year. Let’s look at how many houses had water damage last year that never had this problem before as a direct result off flooding. Their insurance company may pay for damages the first time but that will stop if this becomes a reoccurring problem.”
Ms. Guijt-Lawlor is also concerned by the statement of Cllr. Cribbin that Tesco will deliver 200 new jobs to the area. “Our town is hard set to sustain the supermarkets we already have in this present economic climate and while we are all benefiting from the price war that is going on, another supermarket is not an option without costing jobs. The reality is that an extra supermarket will be replacing existing jobs- not creating new ones.”
Ms. Guijt-Lawlor states that Laois County Council, starting with our Councillors and ending with our county planners have a responsibility to act with the best interest for the greater good of our whole community. Ms. Guijt-Lawlor is satisfied that we have had the proper due process on this issue and the answer has been NO on both occasions for development on our flood plains. “We have other suitable locations in town with better accessibility. If Tesco are serious on setting up shop in Portarlington then I would encourage all parties involved to look at these alternative locations but our flood plains are off limits for development.”
