*Photograph: Páraic McMahon
BROADFORD is set to be one of two Clare areas included in an application from Clare County Council for a national pilot sewerage scheme project by the Department of Housing.
If successful, a fifty plus year wait for a sewerage scheme in Broadford would be ended. The Clare Echo understands that it has been agreed to include Broadford in the Council’s application which has to be submitted by the 15th of September.
Carrigaholt, Cooraclare and Doolin are pressing to be included as the second Clare area in the application. Over a third of towns and villages in Co Clare are without adequate wastewater treatment. The consequence of this in the upcoming County Development Plan is that they will be dezoned for future housing developments greatly hindering the future growth of certain areas.
Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) confirmed that the county’s application would include areas from either side of Clare.
Speaking on Tuesday, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) said it was incumbent on councillors in North and West Clare to put their “best foot forward” to have an area included in the application. “We would love to see two from the West Clare Municipal District,” he quipped.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien (FF) visited the East Clare village of Broadford last August where he issued a strong commitment to PJ Mason and members of the Broadford Action Group that the scheme would be given the green light in October under the National Development Plan review.
In April, Minister O’Brien announced a €50M nationwide scheme to provide sewage mains in rural villages. Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) said at the time Broadford was likely to be a beneficiary from this while Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) referenced Broadford, Carrigaholt, Cooraclare and Doolin as locations that may be able to resolve their sewage problems as a result of the scheme
Strong criticism of the delays and false dawns for Broadford have been voiced by elected representatives of the Killaloe Municipal District. Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) stated, “I don’t know how many Ministers down through the years from all parties promised the sun, moon and stars and delivered none” while disappointment for the people of Broadford with little results to date was voiced by Cllr Pat Burke (FG).
