An appeal has been lodged with An Bórd Pleanála over planned upgrade works to the Newmarket-On-Fergus Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The appellant claims the application cannot proceed due to a ‘blatant’ circumvention of planning and environmental legislation.
Just over one month ago on October 12th, Clare County Council gave the go ahead for Uisce Eireann to carry out upgrade works to the Wastewater Treatment Plant at Boheroran in Newmarket-On-Fergus, subject to seven conditions.
The proposed development involves the construction of a new high storm storage tank and pumping station as well as upgrades to an existing water mains traversing the townlands of Latoon, Ballynacragga, Manusmore and Dromoland.
In a cover letter supporting the application, Mort McDonald Engineering Consultants on behalf of Uisce Eireann state that the works ‘will result in the cessation of all discharges into Lough Gash’ , with the treated effluent to be relocated to the River Rine.
However the development is now under review by An Bórd Pleanala following an appeal.
Michael Duffy of Kilfenora has lodged a submission raising concerns over the appropriate assessment carried out by the local authority
Mr. Duffy claims that the screening did not consider the likely significant impacts the cumulative discharge will contribute to damage already caused to a bordering Special Area of Conservation due the replacement of Latoon Creek Bridge which he states was carried out without a natura impact statement.
Mr Duffy goes on to the state that the application cannot proceed in the current circumstances due to ‘the blatant circumvention of planning and environmental legislation’ by the Planning Authority.
Sewerage deficiencies have proved to be an obstacle to past development in the village, with a 2019 application for 51 social homes having previously been refused due to a lack of wastewater infrastructure.
An Bórd Pleanála is due to make a decision on the case by March 21st 2024.
