*Christmas Day swimmers in Lahinch. Photograph: John Mangan
LAHINCH and Ennistymon are “years away” from making progress on its wastewater treatment plant difficulties, elected representatives have lamented.
A planning application for a single wastewater treatment plant for both Lahinch and Ennistymon is to be made early next year but struggles securing a preferred site and ownership of same is likely to delay such aspirations.
Requirements and potential solutions to upgrade both the Lahinch and Ennistymon wastewater treatment plant have been examined through a feasibility study by the water services department of Clare County Council.
Ann Cronin, a senior executive engineer advised that the “recommended solution” from this study was for a single treatment plant at a site between Ennistymon and Lahinch. She stated, “The report is currently going through final approval and work on the detailed design, including land acquisition, marine modelling and a planning application will commence in early 2023. As part of this phase a detailed site selection study will be undertaken to determine the most suitable site and pipeline routes”.
Queries had been raised by Cllr Shane Talty (FF) on plans to upgrade the Lahinch treatment plant, the preferred site, start date for works and timeline for completion. To seek such information was being “too optimistic,” he conceded.
Any solution depends on the Inagh River which is a special area of conservation, Talty acknowledged. “I’ve no doubt it will be difficult to get a planning application together, while 2023 has been mentioned if we don’t have a preferred site and ownership of it then we’re years away from making progress”.
New developments are hindered because of the existing plant in Lahinch, the Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD added. “They are fairly critical issues when we talk about the bathing quality for the beach of Lahinch, farmers will be asked not to spread slurry and change their farming practices but the issues are far closer linked”.
Cllr Liam Grant (GP) expressed a desire to see the completed feasibility study. “We’ve seen planning denied for houses because the wastewater treatment facilities are not good enough and the beaches closing down during the summer, there seems to be disconnect depending on who’s asking to see who’s fault it is”. Swimmers during the 50tH Pat Conway swim from Lahinch to Liscannor “know the taste and the smell of the water changes” when you pass the river, Cllr Grant flagged.
Aspects of the County Development Plan and how lands will be dezoned for housing if adequate wastewater treatment plants do not exist were referenced by Cllr Joe Killeen (FF). Pressure must be maintained on the issue, he said, pointing out how development “brings new life into villages and towns, it keeps everything alive, it also ensures continuity and vibrancy into the future”.
Lodging a planning application next year was “ambitious,” in the eyes of Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG). “This has the potential to undermine the ambition of a very successful rural development strategy and the desire of people to live and work in North-West Clare and to move back,” he stated. Interim measures must be introduced to the County Development Plan, Garrihy outlined.
Criticism of the Green Party was voiced by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND), “the Green Party are saying they are great by adding a filter”. He suggested a briefing be held on the subject to which Cllr Talty agreed.
