Redundant Mall River works
Tipperary County Council held a well-attended public information session on Tuesday, June 17, in Templemore Library and Enterprise Centre to discuss proposed nature-based works for the redundant Mall River in Templemore.
Previously, an application was made to An Bord Pleanála by Tipperary County Council to carry out infill works at the river. The works applied for in the application included:
The construction of a drainage pipe in the existing redundant channel section of the River Mall; provision for the connection of existing surface water outfalls; the infilling of the redundant channel section; provision of a footpath and grass area over the infilled river from Templemore Town Park pedestrian entrance; provision of new footway adjacent to the Black Castle Road to the junction of the N62; provision of improvement works north of O'Dwyer Bridge; widening of the carriageway crossing O'Dwyer bridge along the N62.
Also included was demolition of approximately 15 metres of existing stone wall and bridge parapet south of the N62 to allow for improvement works to include a new footway and increase sight lines between The Mall Road and the N62. Landscape works to match the existing surrounding environment at the Templemore town park formed part of the plan also.
An Bord Pleanála subsequently made a decision to refuse Tipperary County Council permission to carry out these works, ABP-318948-24. Tipperary County Council therefore then began the process of seeking an alternative, acceptable and permanent solution for the redundant River Mall channel. A specialist in the area of nature-based solutions, Mr Feidhlim Harty, Ecologist, was asked to prepare a nature-based design for the Mall River that would be acceptable to all interested stakeholders, including An Bord Pleanála.
As part of the process, Feidhlim, along with staff from Tipperary County Council, engaged with landowners and the general public in Templemore as part of a public information session. Tipperary County Council will now work on detailed design of the nature-based solution in consultation with the planning authority and the OPW. The council will continue to keep interested parties informed of proposals and decisions as they are arrived at.