Plans to rehabilitate section of Louth stream move step closer

Plans to rehabilitate a section of the Carrickrobin Stream outside Dundalk, to enhance its salmonid bearing potential and increase its biodiversity value, have moved a step closer with a decision due next month on the plans.

Oriel River Catchments and Coastal Association applied to Louth County Council for planning permission in March of this year to rehabilitate a discrete section of the Carrickrobin Stream.

The planned works which would be undertaken to assist in its rehabilitation, if given the go ahead, would include disconnecting a 50m long 500mm diameter concrete pipe (culvert) from the Carrickrobin Stream and replacing it with a 25m 1100mm Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) pipe to aid fish passage and provide 54m of new open stream with riffles pools and glides. 

This new channel would be reconnected into the existing river channel at the roadside culvert.

The planned works also include bank revetment and instream morphology using ecological engineering techniques, which would be incorporated in the new channel; as well as fencing of channel and providing livestock with alternative drinking sources; and selective tree pruning.

Louth County Council sought further information from Oriel River Catchments and Coastal Association on the planned works in April, which was provided to the local planning authority on 5 September, with a decision now due on the planning application by 2 October.