Removal of the Clondulane Weir
Progress report on Clondulane weir to August 2016
Following the minister’s announcement, Inland Fisheries Ireland have being actively progressing this project. It was clear from a review of the legislation with regard to the environment and planning, that planning permission would be required for any works at the weir.
Inland fisheries Ireland appointed PUNCH consulting Engineers to assist in the planning and design process and to date IFI have commissioned and have received reports on the following surveys.
- A Topographical survey
- An Architectural survey
- An Archaeological survey
- A Hydrological survey
- A Geomorphological survey
- A Flood risk assessment
- An Appropriate Assessment report
- A Natura Impact assessment
- An Underwater Pearl Mussel survey
Following a pre-planning meeting with Cork County Council, further surveys have been arranged for the coming weeks. These include an Underwater Archaeological survey, a road access survey for the approval of the planning authority for the traffic management plan.
A report on all the options considered and the final design will then be produced. All of these surveys have been conducted with the assistance of the estate owners to minimise disturbance to the visiting anglers.
An information meeting was held with the Blackwater Development Trust in July 2016 to update them on progress to date. Similar information meetings will be held in the Clondulane area prior to any planning application when more detailed information is available. A meeting is scheduled in the coming weeks with the estate owners to finalise the details of the project. An application will then be made to the Office of Public works of their authorisation for the alterations to the weir. This will be followed by a full Planning application to Cork County Council in due course.
23 November 2011
Lismore Realty Ltd. and Lismore Trust Ltd. v. The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Removal of the Clondulane Weir)
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte T.D. is pleased to announce that a settlement has been reached in advance of the hearing of this court case.
The terms are that the parties will bear their own costs and Lismore Realty Ltd. and Lismore Trust Ltd. will pay all reasonable costs of the removal of the Clondulane weir, which will take place during summer 2012. Inland Fisheries Ireland will act as agents of the Minister and manage the removal of the structure so as to minimise the impact on flora, fauna and habitat in the river, which is in a Special Area of Conservation.
Note for editors
In July 2006 the then Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources issued a direction requiring the removal of the Clondulane weir to allow for the free and uninterrupted passage of migratory fish, as required by national and European legislation. Lismore Realty Ltd. and Lismore Trust Ltd. brought judicial review proceedings in relation to that direction. These proceedings have now been settled and the removal of the weir will proceed.
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