The mounting level of development proposals in flood plains highlights the lack of a national flood plain strategy or guidelines which is still only in preparation by the OPW. When the issue of flood impact was raised as a reason for not rezoning land in East Meath in July 2005, this was ignored by county councilors, with one councilor stating that flood risk was a ridiculous argument to use against rezoning land.

Any major application for development in a flood plain is inevitably accompanied by technical consultants’ reports arguing that the site will be raised through import of spoil material above the previous highest flood level.

Leitrim County Council granted a planning application for a development of 32 houses on this flood plain. It is currently being appealed.