Uisce Éireann’s plans to eliminate the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Atlantic Ocean off the west Clare seaside resort of Kilkee have been dealt a major blow.
This follows Clare County Council comprehensively rejecting Uisce Éireann's planning application for a new wastewater treatment plant for the seaside resort.
Locals have campaigned for many years for proper waste water treatment facilities for Kilkee, but over 80 objections were lodged against the proposed scheme for Dunlicky Rd, with locals angry over the proposed location and that Uisce Éireann was proposing only primary treatment of waste water.
As part of the wave of opposition against the proposal, Kilkee resident, Sheila Lardner branded the WWTP as a “monstrosity”.
One of those to object, Michael Duffy on behalf of the Dunlicky Rd Residents Group in Kilkee, described the proposal as "a disgraceful waste of scarce public resources” and would be an "open wound and eye-sore” on the local landscape.
Mr Duffy contended that "this application is an ill-considered, expensive, box-ticking exercise by the applicant which simply wants to be seen to be taking steps, no matter how inappropriate, to address its historic inability to provide a basic and fundamental requirement for planning and sustainable development in a long-established important tourism town”.
Uisce Éireann said that the project “will end the discharge of inadequately treated sewage into the bay” and that the new infrastructure “will bring significant benefits to the local community by improving water quality in the receiving waters at Intrinsic Bay”.
However, as part of its refusal, the council ruled that the scheme would have adverse impacts on the visual amenities of the area, the character of the receiving landscape, and the views available from the adjacent “Scenic Route” and recreational routes which are valuable tourism assets for Kilkee.
The Council also refused planning permission after concluding that it has not been adequately demonstrated that the proposed development would be adequate to appropriately manage the effluent loading from Kilkee.
The planning authority also refused planning permission after stating that it could not be satisfied that the proposed development, either individually or in-combination with other plans or projects, would not be likely to have adverse effects on the Kilkee Reefs Special area of Conservation (SAC).
The Council also refused planning permission after concluding that the proposed development would have adverse impacts on the residential amenities for a nearby existing dwelling due to over-bearance and general disturbance.
A spokeswoman for Uisce Éireann said on Tuesday that following the Council refusal for the planned new Wastewater Treatment Plant, “Uisce Éireann are now reassessing the approach to finding a solution to end untreated wastewater discharges to Intrinsic Bay near Kilkee”.
She said: "We will continue to keep the community updated on the status of the project. Uisce Éireann is committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment.”
In one objection, Gerard and Catriona Hennessy of Dough, Kilkee, told the council that the proposed Wastewater Treatment Plant "will have a negative impact on such a scenic area. It is a local attraction on the Wild Atlantic Way, and we believe this will have a negative effect on Kilkee’s popular 'Cliff Walk’."
Tom Byrne told the council that while it is commendable, though very late, of Uisce Éireann to now address the issue of the construction of a badly needed WWTP to serve Kilkee, "what has been submitted falls very far short of what is required”.
Dr Tom Nolan told the council that it is a sad historical fact that the people of Kilkee and visitors have been treated disgracefully by the council over many years in the matter of the maintenance and high quality bathing waters for which it was once famous.
Dr Nolan said that tertiary treatment is required at any new WWTP for Kilkee.
On the Uisce Éireann proposal to provide primary treatment only, Dr Nolan says “it is unacceptable that a system so designed to fail is being offered”.
