Infrastructure
Carlingford Ferry
RPS designed vehicular ferry terminals at Greenore in Co. Louth and Greencastle in Co. Down and secured the planning, environmental & marine consents to allow all year round vehicular ferry operation across the mouth of Carlingford Lough.
The RPS multi-disciplinary team developed the design and engineering components of the project, in tandem with the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, to assess the potential environmental effects of the project, including those on the nearby European Designated Sites in Carlingford Lough. RPS prepared and submitted the planning applications, foreshore licenses, and marine licenses in both the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland to secure all relevant consents.
Key details
Project name
Carlingford Ferry
Client
Frazer Ferries
Location
Carlingford Lough, between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
Services provided:
- Planning, environmental & marine consents
- Design and engineering
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Appropriate Assessment
- Planning application
- Foreshore and marine licences in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
Challenge
Carlingford Lough is a large water body which straddles Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and comprises several European Designated sites. The project overlapped four separate consenting regimes, including two planning jurisdictions, and the challenge was to ensure all legislative requirements and transboundary obligations, were addressed within the project design development, and supporting information at each stage. Close coordination and communication with all consenting authorities was required during the planning and marine / foreshore consenting processes, to manage the various timescales involved, and allow the development of a robust and deliverable project programme, including consent target dates, contractual input and delivery on the ground.
Solution
RPS supported Frazer Ferries by:
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Project Management of proposal development and wider consultant team by the Planning Team, ensuring a coordinated approach to information gathering and production of information.
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Carrying out a rigorous EIA scoping process in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, covering coastal hydrodynamics, ornithology, terrestrial and marine ecology, noise and air, cultural heritage, and landscape and visual impacts.
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Preparation of preparation a detailed transboundary Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment which covered the terrestrial and marine elements.
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Detailed and comprehensive planning submissions prepared using expert knowledge of both planning jurisdictions.
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Close liaison and communication with local Authorities during the planning process, managing all correspondence and coordinating all request for clarification and Further Information.
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Provision of planning case law, up to date planning guidance and planning briefings to assist the legal teams with the planning appeal and legal challenges.