Fisheries agency seeks planning approval to partially remove River Suir weir in Tipperary

Inland Fisheries Ireland is seeking planning approval to partially remove a weir on the River Suir close to Cahir to improve the river’s ecology.

The state agency submitted a planning application to Tipperary County Council on February 20 seeking permission for the partial removal of Bakery Weir and the non-functional fish pass at Barnora and Caherabbey Lower to restore the “natural river conditions and ecological connectivity” of the River Suir in that area.

The weir, which is a registered protected structure, is located about 1.3km north east of Cahir and adjacent to the R670 Cashel Road.

The application specifically requests removal of approximately two-thirds (70m) of Bakery Weir from the northern riverbank and protection of the remaining weir beside the mill wheel and tailrace for heritage purposes.

It seeks permission for the “reprofiling and restoration” of approximately 250m of the river channel to replicate natural stream conditions, enable fish migration and create a low-flow channel.

It also seeks the go ahead to construct a new fill structure downstream to channel water flow into the proposed low-flow channels in the northern and southern branches of the river.

To enable the IFI carry out this project, the planning application seeks permission to access the weir via the R670 Cashel Road and an existing informal pathway the agency proposes to temporarily upgrade.

The application also requests approval to create a temporary access ramp from the southern bank of the river and a temporary driving platform to Bakery Weir as well as the removal of individual trees to enable construction activities.

And it requests approval for construction lay down areas and a site compound adjacent to the Cashel Road.

The application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement.

In a letter accompanying the application, Inland Fisheries Ireland Deputy CEO Barry Fox informs Tipperary County Council the project aims to restore connectivity within the river and “more critically to restore and improve the passage of fish”.

“The proposed development is being undertaken in the exercise of IFI’s statutory functions relating to the protection and conservation of inland fisheries and fish habitat pursuant to the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 and the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959,” he explained.

Mr Fox outlined the consent of an owner of part of the weir was previously obtained but has subsequently been withdrawn and is no longer forthcoming.

In view of this, Mr Fox explained this planning application is being made pursuant to IFIs’ statutory powers as a statutory undertaker under the amended Planning & Development Act 2000 in lieu of the owner's consent.

He also cited provisions in 1959 Fisheries (Consolidation) Act and 2001 Planning and Development Regulations as providing the required staturoty power to the IFI.

Tipperary County Council has listed April 16 as the date it will reach a decision on whether to approve, refuse or seek further information on the planning application.

READ NEXT: Tipperary author to share his insights on his camino journey at launch of new book