Opposition to sewage plant

A LOCAL public representative has called for a planned sewage treatment plant on the Northside to be halted.

The deadline passed on August 17 for submissions to be made to An Bord Pleanala for a regional wastewater treatment plant to be built in Clonshaugh.

Senator Catherine Noone, one of Fine Gael’s candidates in the next general election in the Dublin Bay North constituency, said the proposed plant has caused significant concern in the area due to a number of important factors that should be addressed before the development progresses.

“The location proposed for the plant has the potential to be used for a host of other amenities, not least, housing for the rapidly growing local population,” she said. 

“The chosen site has also raised significant concerns as to potential environmental damage.” 

Dublin Bay North TD Sean Haughey (FF) has also expressed strong opposition to the proposed development.

“Clonshaugh and District is a densely populated and rapidly growing area,” he said.

“The provision of smaller treatment plants is more sustainable and in keeping with environmental principles generally.”

Deputy Haughey added: “These plans are not the solution to effective water treatment and an oral hearing must be provided so that residents’ concerns can be dealt with in public.” 

Irish Water insisted that the new facility “will be appropriately landscaped and screened”. 

“The facility will be over 300 metres from the nearest dwellings and will be more than 500 metres from the R139,” the spokesperson added.

“Extensive studies have confirmed that a single regional facility is the most environmentally beneficial, technically advantageous and cost effective solution.”