Controversial Irish Water project is given the go-ahead
Clonea-Power
Planning permission has been granted for a controversial wastewater treatment plant in the village of Clonea-Power.
Since the application was lodged back in March, residents living the village have been vocally opposing the development.
They say that that the new plant will not service a large portion of the village or the local public house, and that smells emitting from the plant will impact quality of life in the area.
Permission has been granted on a 10-year planning application for the development of a constructed wastewater treatment plant in the village.
A constructed wetland is a type of sustainable wastewater treatment system designed to look and function as a natural wetland does.
The plans for the village involve a new stormwater management system, septic tank, four constructed wetland ponds and new access roads.
The existing Clonea Power treatment plant will be decommissioned. Uisce Eireann deem this existing plant as being "no longer fit for use", and its sludge storage is estimated to be at least 30 years old.
The new plant will be located on a greenfield site along the R678. The area surrounding the site contains a mix of uses, including residential housing and agricultural.
One of the main drivers of the project, according to planning reports, is to "allow for the future population increase in the area anticipated for the 30-year design".
Two primary issues have arisen from the submitted planning application: The lower portion of the village not being serviced by the new plant, and the potential odour from the plant that could impact nearby houses.
Local councillor, Seanie Power, addressed staff in the Council’s Planning and Environment Departments during a meeting this week, saying that the new plant will only do "half a job."
“The public house and two or three other dwellings were omitted from this planning application, which I think is absolutely crazy" he said.
"There were a number of submissions made from locals asking to include these, and it wasn’t done. To me, honest to god, it just doesn’t make sense."
Cllr Power appealed to the Council's Environment Department to write to Uisce Eireann immediately.
"If somebody came to inspect my farm and there was sewerage leaking into the river, the Council's Environment Department would be down on me like a tonne of bricks. So i feel the Environment Department need to come down on Uisce Eireann now like a tonne of bricks."
(Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme)
