Clare Drains Environmental Ltd have withdrawn their planning application for the controversial sewage treatment system which was proposed for Islandmagrath, Lissane in Clarecastle.
Locals have been vehemently opposed to the sewage development since an application for planning was submitted at the end of June.
Though the proposed development received a relatively positive environmental impact assessment, locals strongly contested claims made by Clare Drains Environmental Ltd around the likelihood of flooding and the permeability of the soil sighting serious risks to local habitats and the quality of life for those living in the area.
The planning authority received submissions from over 80 individuals relating to the development as well a report from An Taisce which, while noting OPW maps do not report a history of flooding in the area, highlighted that the “flood risk potential of the sight requires further evaluation” saying that “a flood on the site could pose a significant risk to water quality”.
A decision was meant to be reached by Clare County Council on whether or not to grant planning permission for the development by the 24th of August but Clare Drains Environmental Ltd withdrew their application one day before it was to be considered.
Mags McMahon, one of the Islandmagrath residents who was highly opposed to the new sewage system, said the development would have been “a huge shame”.
“This is a beautiful area of countryside out here and it’s just next to the Fergus Estuary which is a conservation area. The sight itself [was] proposed to have a concrete septic tank within meters of the road which is part of the mid Clare way. It’s a narrow road, it [would] be difficult to park trucks, it [would have] been completely spoiled” she said.
