Planning watchdog warns Cork City against building housing on 16 sites 'vulnerable' to flooding

Among the proposed zonings criticised are sites in the city centre, Tivoli, Douglas, Togher, Curraheen and Ballincollig, as well as lands adjacent to the River Lee

The Office of the Planning Regulator has criticised proposed zoning of areas such as Douglas, which are prone to flooding. Picture: Eddie O'Hare 

The State’s planning watchdog has called on Cork City Council to review its proposed zoning of 16 “vulnerable” and “highly vulnerable” sites at risk of flooding as part of a new draft development plan for the city.

The Office of the Planning Regulator claims justification tests carried out by the council for zoning lands at risk of flooding for various uses, but mostly housing, were non-compliant with ministerial guidelines.