Uisce Éireann has been given the green light to press ahead with controversial plans for a wastewater treatment plant in Kilkee.
It comes as An Bord Pleanála has overturned Clare County Council’s decision to reject the development.
The proposal for a new sewerage treatment plant along with a foul and pumping station on a 4.5 hectare site in Foohagh, Kilkee, first came before the local authority in January 2024.
Within a month, Clare County Council requested further information on the project after a large volume of local residents highlighted the potential for emanating odours that may impact health and safety.
Ultimately, planning permission was refused in October, with over 140 public submissions put forward, most of which objected to the development.
The greatest point of contention being the site’s proximity to Kilkee Cliff Walk, just 620 metres away.
When Clare County Council refused planning permission, it did so on the grounds that the bulk and scale of the plant was contrary to sustainable development.
It also highlighted operational concerns, stating that due to the significant seasonal variations in Kilkee’s population, it wasn’t demonstrated that the WWTP could manage this capacity, howvever An Bord Plenála has now overturned the decison after a successful appeal from Uisce Éireann.
In a statement to Clare FM, Uisce Éireann says “This decision will allow for the development of critical infrastructure which will support sustainable growth and development, enhance the environment, and end unscreened raw sewage discharges into Intrinsic Bay, west of Kilkee”.
The utility has previously estimated construction of the plant will take between 18 to 24 months, however given the volume of public submissions, the project could well face a judicial review down the line.
