Opponents of sewage plant have their say

LOCAL residents and public representatives converged on O’Connell Street last week for an oral hearing into a hugely contentious project proposed for their area.

Irish Water is planning to build a sewage plant four times the size of Croke Park Stadium in the middle of the highly populated residential area of Clonshaugh. 

The new wastewater treatment facility is needed to serve the growing population of the north Dublin area.

An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing took place at the Gresham Hotel as part of its statutory consultation and assessment of the Greater Dublin Drainage (GDD) Project planning application.

Public representatives and residents were given the opportunity to state their case regarding the project.

The concerns expressed included the proposed size of the plant, odours, pollution, noise, traffic, environmental factors and the visual aspect of the plant.

In his submission, Dublin Bay North TD Finian McGrath (Ind) said: “The proposed location is directly adjacent to densely populated areas including Priorswood, Darndale and Clonshaugh as well as Clongriffin, Clarehall and Belmayne.  

“This proposed wastewater/sewage plant will seriously impact and injure the residential amenities in this area.  The plant will also have a detrimental effect on the much used Priorswood Park.” 

Dublin Bay North TD Sean Haughey (FF) said: “Over 34,000 submissions have been made to An Bord Pleanála and most of these submissions are in fact objections to the proposal. The concerns of local residents must be listened to. 

“The sheer size and scale of this project mean that it is totally contrary to the proper planning and development of this area.” 

While acknowledging the need for a new regional wastewater treatment plant for the Greater Dublin Area, Donna Cooney of the Green Party called for more details to be provided on the environmental impact of such a treatment facility.

At the oral presentation to An Bord Pleanála Ms Cooney raised multiple concerns about the proposed facility, including issues around noise mitigation, odour control and light pollution.

Additionally, Ms Cooney questioned the routing of outfall pipes across Baldoyle estuary – an important biosphere and home to protected flora and fauna – and the effect that an outfall pipe near Ireland’s Eye could have on harbour porpoises and grey seals, which are entitled to protection under the Habitats Directive.

Dublin Bay North TD Denise Mitchell (SF) said: “The decision to locate this enormous plant so close to people’s homes and to businesses is totally wrong. 

“I think we need to be moving more towards localised treatment plants rather than this type of enormous development.” 

Cllr Tom Brabazon (FF) said local communities are united in their opposition to the proposal. 

“They have marched in their thousands on a number of occasions against this proposal with representatives from Clonshaugh to Portmarnock who do not want this project to proceed,” he said. 

“Whilst it is not a planning matter for consideration by An Bord Pleanala, it is my considered view that to grant this permission at this location will unleash very severe civil obstruction and civil disobedience and put our citizens at loggerheads with the authorities.”

Dublin Fingal TD Darragh O’Brien (FF) said that since it was first proposed, the Greater Dublin Drainage Project has deeply frustrated local residents. 

“Should this giant sewage orbital development be permitted to proceed exactly as planned in the north county, our popular and scenic peninsula stands to be gravely affected not just environmentally but even economically given the impact it will have on tourism,” he said.