‘Every effort’ being made to progress Burnfoot flood protection scheme

A government Minister has said “every effort” is being made to “expedite” the Burnfoot Flood Relief Scheme, which is still not under construction almost EIGHT years after the village was flooded in frightening scenes.

Burnfoot was one of the worst-affected areas in Inishowen when a month’s worth of rain fell on the evening of August 22, 2017. Scores of homes and businesses in the area were swamped when the river burst its banks, leading to the emergency evacuation of many families during the night amid rapidly rising water levels.

The new Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, who was also in charge of the OPW when the 2017 flood occurred, said the protection scheme will be in place “as soon as is practically possible”.

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Junior Minister Moran was responding to a Dail question from exasperated Buncrana TD Padraig MacLochlainn, who has once again highlighted how planning permission for the flood defense project has not yet been secured, while many residents remain displaced.

SF Deputy MacLochlainn is calling on the new OPW Minister to meet with concerned locals to update them on any progress on the long-overdue project, which is expected to cost up to €2 million when it’s finally built.

Minister Moran, who visited Burnfoot in the aftermath of the ‘Big Flood’ of August 2017, said he’s very aware of “the devastation that flooding causes to people and communities”, adding that the “Burnfoot flood relief scheme is currently being actively progressed”.

He said he’d be “delighted” to return to Inishowen and discuss the issue further as soon as possible.
“While I have only just been appointed as Minister for the Office of Public Works, I will be delighted to discuss with the local community and Donegal County Council, the works to manage the flood risk, including the displacement of residents in Burnfoot, at the earliest opportunity.”

Minister Moran said Donegal County Council and the OPW have now identified a preferred option for the flood protection project, which is currently at ‘Stage Two’, comprising the submission of the scheme for planning approval. He said the scheme is expected to go forward for planning consent this April.

“Currently landowner and CPO negotiations have begun with affected landowners. It is envisaged this will reduce potential challenges, negotiations, and litigation, and progress the scheme more expediently by starting the process in tandem with the submission of planning documentation.”

Construction of the scheme, subject to planning consent, is projected to take approximately eighteen months.
“Every effort is being made by all parties to expedite the process and ensure the scheme is in place as soon as is practically possible,” Minister Moran added.