New anti-flooding measures in the Irish Republic will force homeowners to request planning permission before they pave their gardens, it has been revealed.

Under revised government proposals those developing zoned land will have to satisfy firmer guidelines - even for building additional parking spaces.

According to Environment Minister John Gormley, developments on spaces deemed a flood risk will only be granted as a last resort.

The new guidelines have also banned cobblelock driveways that are likely to cause localised flooding.

Developers may also find house extensions - spanning vast paved areas - will be scaled back by planners.

High-risk flood areas may only be granted water-compatible developments – including docks and marinas.

The draft Planning Guidelines on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management also suggests "vulnerable" developments should only be given the green light in areas of low flooding risks.

-- Advertisement --

Unprecedented flooding during the summer ravaged parts of Ireland, and it is likely many will welcome these tighter government recommendations.

However, the guidelines could prove a headache for developers who have already been granted planning permission.

The new rules may be retrospective – meaning the planning appraisal of some schemes could be revisited to assess flooding risks.

"Zoning and rezoning decisions must meet all of the criteria of this justification test and undeveloped zoned land, which new information indicates may now or in the future be at risk of flooding, will have to be assessed in line with these guidelines," Minister Gormley said.

The "increasing trend" for paved garden areas has been noted in the report.

The Department of Environment said it would review the law to ensure only paving complying with "sustainable drainage principles" can go ahead without planning permission.

Planning authorities could include conditions, such as insisting on gravel or slate chippings, when granting permission for home extensions, which include "significant hard surfacing".

Permission will only be granted to flood risk site when there is "no alternative", and during the construction of such projects flood-resistant and flood-resilient building methods will have to be used.

The draft guidelines are available at www.environ.ie and public consultation runs until November 14 next.

(PR)