Sir, – I could not agree more with Tom Leahy, executive manager of Dublin City Council regarding construction of extensions in back gardens and paving front lawns for cars contributed to this week’s flooding of homes.
The importance of suitably planted front and back gardens to aid drainage cannot be overemphasized. There are a number of hardy small trees and shrubs available for small to medium sized urban gardens. It is important to take into consideration the various ecological factors before dispensing with lawns and other planted areas, and replacing them with extensions, paved driveways and patios. What we need is strict enforcement of planning rules and regulations by the city and county councils.
Every care should be taken to obey the laws of nature before denuding our green spaces to prevent or minimize future catastrophies. – Yours, etc,