*Photograph: John Mangan
DELAYS from An Bord Pleanála in announcing the outcome of an appeal to the building of a wastewater treatment plant in Newmarket-on-Fergus is “not acceptable”.
Strong criticism of the planning authority was issued by Cllr David Griffin (FF) who pointed out that young people born and reared in Newmarket-on-Fergus are missing out on housing options and the chance for the parish’s population to grow has also been hindered.
A decision was due to be made on March 21st by the planning authority, this was later delayed to June and approaching the month of October there has been no update.
An appeal was made to An Bord Pleanála in November 2023, one month after Clare County gave the green light to Uisce Éireann to carry out upgrade works to the wastewater treatment plant in Newmarket-on-Fergus, subject to seven conditions. Chartered civil engineer, Michael Duffy in his appeal claimed that the upgrades cannot proceed due to a “blatant” circumvention of planning and environmental legislation.
At this month’s sitting of the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Griffin appealed for the local authority to seek an update “on the overdue planning decision”.
Acting senior executive officer in the Shannon MD, Anne Griffin confirmed that they have written to An Bord Pleanála. She outlined, “the correspondence to An Bord Pleanála re-iterated the strategic importance of the construction of the facility which includes a wastewater treatment plant, high chemical storage tanks, ground discharge pumping station, high tertiary treatment system, electrical control kiosk, standby generator, outfall rising main, outfall diffuser and site development works at Boheraroan, Newmarket-on-Fergus. Natura Impact Statement (NIS) was submitted with the application by Irish Water”.
Cllr Griffin said the outcome of the decision is vital for the future of Newmarket-on-Fergus. He criticised the pace at which An Bord Pleanála have moved. He stressed that his motion was not trying to influence the decision but believed a decision needs to be made public ‘sooner rather than later’ and labelled the delay as “not acceptable”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) said a decision whether approved or not needs to be made known. Cllr John Crowe (FG) also voiced his support and praised the work of the retired Pat McMahon (FF) in raising the matter in the past.
