Mooncoin By-Pass Constraints Study (2001)

N24 - Mooncoin By-Pass - Constraints Study (2001)

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N24 - Mooncoin By-Pass - Constraints Study (2001)


The purpose of a Constraints Study is to collate information on the study area and highlight constraints which may impact on the decision process when selecting a route. This report takes into consideration:

  • National Road Needs Study (NRA,1998),
  • National Development Plan 2000-2006,
  • Review of Transport Infrastructure Investment Needs (DKM, 1999),
  • Kilkenny County Development Plan (draft 2000),
  • National Roads Project Management Guidelines (NRA 2000).
  • The information identified during the constraints study will also be utilised and supplemented by further studies during the route selection and environmental impact assessment phases.

Preliminary Studies
To identify constraints, preliminary studies on a number of issues were undertaken. These studies included:

  • infrastructure
  • geology, hydrogeology and soils
  • hydrology
  • archaeology
  • ecology
  • landscape and visual
  • socio-economic / human beings
  • traffic
  • air quality and noise levels
  • utilities
  • planning and land ownership

IDENTIFICATION OF CONSTRAINTS

Geology

The majority of the study area is part of an undulating plain where the bedrock geology is Carboniferous Limestone with higher ground present in the south of the study area where the underlying bedrock is Devonian Sandstones and Mudstones and steep sided hills immediately to the south and west of the study area where the bedrock is Devonian Sandstones and Conglomerates. There are a number of faults present within the study area which trend in a NNW-SSE direction.

Alluvial areas are confined to the flat-lying flood plain areas of the River Suir. The former quarry at Granny is identified as a disused landfill site.

Hydrology

From east to west there are seven rivers either within, or adjacent to, the study area. These are the Barrow, the Black Water, the Suir, the Whelan Bridge and Dawn Rivers, the Clodiagh and the River Pill. There is localised flooding throughout the study area both along the N24 and third class roads. The Ballynamountain drainage system runs through the centre of the site. There are reed beds and wetlands south of the N24.

Archaeology

There are thirty-seven recorded archaeological sites within and in close proximity to the study area. There is one National Monument (KK043-034(01-02)). Wherever possible it is recommended that the proposed works avoid direct impact with the elements of the known archaeological landscape. Should this not be possible, a full program of archaeological mitigation should be considered at later stages.

Ecology

Seven ecological sites were identified either within, or adjacent to, the study area. Five of these were classified as very high level sites, Special Areas of Conservation (SAC's), and Natural Heritage Areas (NHA's). These are largely located around the boundaries of the study area. The remaining two sites are classified as low level constraints. The first is located along the length of the railway line and the second lies within the limestone quarry.

Landscape and Visual

All of the land lying south of the N24 extending from Granny Castle up to Fiddown and south of the N24 is designated in the Kilkenny County Development Plan, (draft 2000), as an Area of High Amenity. The individual landscape features within this area have a range of constraint values. To the north of the N24 the landscape constraints are more dispersed.

Socio- Economic / Human Beings

Most employment within the study area is agriculturally based. Farms are well-managed with good to medium quality fertile land. Waterford City and the village of Mooncoin provide a wide range of local businesses and services concerned with quarrying, agriculture, tourism, employment, legal and banking facilities, shopping areas and social amenities, amongst others.

There are no major tourist attractions within the study area. However there are a number of potential sites of interest including thatched cottages, Granny Castle, a Motte, a Megalithic tomb, watermills, churches, holy wells, etc.

Air Quality and Noise Level Sensitive Receptors

Sensitive receptors including, amongst others, schools, churches and dwellings have been identified. These are located at Mooncoin (the only village within the study area), Pollrone, Portnascully, Ballinlough, Ballygriffin, Aglish, Filbuckstown, Portnascully, Ballybrassel, Portrone, Doornane, Grange and Ballytarsney. It is not possible to detail every sensitive receptor within the study area at this however all relevant receptors will be identified as part of the route evaluation stage.

Planning and Land Ownership

Information recorded by the County Council planning department includes details of the type of development proposed, the name of the developer and the status of the application. Planning application information in conjunction with a register of land ownership within the study area will be obtained and utilised during the route selection process.

Other Studies Undertaken

In addition infrastructure, utilities and traffic were considered however no major constraints were identified.

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