NORTHSIDE public representatives have vowed to fight Fingal County Council’s decision to construct a giant sewage treatment plant in Clonshaugh.
Two sites near Lusk, along with Clonshaugh, had been selected in Phase 2 of the Greater Dublin Drainage Project as the three preferred sites for the controversial plant.
Peter O’Reilly, Project Engineer for Fingal County Council, said the Greater Dublin Drainage project was vital in order to facilitate employment, social progress and economic growth in the wider Dublin region, hand-in-hand with the improvement and protection of the environment.
“Wastewater treatment capacity is one of the key elements of infrastructure needed to facilitate jobs and other developments like schools, hospitals and housing in the wider Dublin region and our current capacity will run out in 2020,
? explained Mr O’Reilly.
“Over 13 different experts across different disciplines studied the three shortlisted sites, Clonshaugh, Annsbrook and Newtowncorduff.
“We reached the conclusion that Clonshaugh is the most environmentally beneficial and technically advantageous solution, and it is the best value for money too.
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Cllr Eoghan O’Brien (FF), who has campaigned against the development for more than two years, has vowed to step up his opposition to the plan.
“The decision to locate this plant in Clonshaugh, with the outflow pipe between Portmarnock and Baldoyle, is disastrous for tens of thousands of residents in Clonshaugh, Portmarnock, Kinsealy, Baldoyle, Baskin, Cloghran and beyond,
? Cllr O’Brien told Northside People.
“There are serious implications for the local environment, for public safety, for nearby households and for local amenities.
?
Dublin Bay North TD Aodhan O’Riordan (Lab) said the announcement was a clear example of what should
“not happen in an open and transparent political system
?.
“The council is proposing to build a sewage plant as big as Croke Park within a one mile radius of 2,500 houses,
? he stated.
“This decision flies in the face of the 10,000 local residents who lodged objections to such a move.
“It ignores their concerns and desires for a series of smaller plants to service local sewage needs.
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Dublin Bay North TD Sean Kenny (Lab) said:
“It must be noted that the local authority that made the decision is Fingal County Council, while the residents affected by a decision in favour of Clonshaugh live in the Dublin City Council area.
“The proposal to route the outfall from the Clonshaugh site to the sea north of Ireland’s Eye through a pipeline under Baldoyle Estuary is of grave concern from an environmental viewpoint.
?
Deputy Kenny said that on the other side of Baldoyle Estuary the pipeline would go through the Portmarnock Dunes and the popular Portmarnock Velvet Strand Blue Flag beach.
“I will be conveying my opposition to the proposed Clonshaugh sewage treatment site to An Bord Pleanala who must now consider the proposal,
? he added.
Senator Averil Power (FF) said she accepted that the wastewater treatment capacity of North Dublin must be increased, but absolutely disagreed that a plant of this size was appropriate for Clonshaugh.
“It would make far more sense, economically and environmentally, to build a number of smaller, localised plants which could be phased in over time,
? she stated.
Senator Darragh O’Brien (FF) described the decision as
“outrageous
? and called on Environment Minister Phil Hogan to put a stop to the plans.
Dublin North East TD Tommy Broughan said it was
“cynical and unfair
? to choose to locate the sewage plant at Clonshaugh.
“This will be a disaster for the development of the North Fringe of Dublin city,
? he warned.
“It will affect residents of many existing Clonshaugh and North Fringe communities including residents of Riverside, Caragh Park, Belcamp, Darndale, Burnell, Belmayne, Ayrfield, Balgriffin, Donaghmede and Clongriffin.
“The North Fringe has been very adversely affected by poor planning. The decision to locate the sewage plant at Clonshaugh may have further serious adverse effects on local communities.
?
Cllr Brian McDowell said:
“This is a regional decision, and as such it should be made in collaboration with partner local authorities, not just by the receiving local authority..
?
Dublin Bay North TD Terence Flanagan (FG) also voiced his concerns.
“A number of constituents have contacted me with similar concerns about the negative effect that the plant would have on their community,
? he said.
Daryl Barron, a Fianna Fáil area representative for the Donaghmede ward, said:
“The decision to pick this location is unjust to local residents.
?