This article is from page 12 of the 2011-08-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
SINCE 2006, planning applications for large residential and commercial schemes in Ennis have been refused because of inadequate capacity in the public sewer, a meeting has heard.
The comment was made by Andrew Hersey, Executive Planner with Ennis Town Council, at an An Bord Pleanála oral hearing in Ennis on Thursday.
The hearing was held to examine information submitted to the Board by Clare County Council in relation to a proposed upgrade of the Clondroadmore Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Ennis.
In his submission as a representative of the planning authority, Mr Hersey recommended to the board that permission be granted to the proposed development.
He explains that the plant, which has been in operation since the 1970s, has a design capacity for a population equivalent (PE) of 17, 000 and its cur rent loading is circa 26, 000 (PE).
He added, “There is therefore a shor tfall of treatment capacity. I note that in order to comply with conditions for a discharge authorisation license as issued by the EPA, it is necessary that the capacity be increased.”
Mr Hersey states that Ennis is designated as a hub town in the National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020.
He states that the strategy identifies three levels of capital invest ment in hub towns, “the highest priority being investment in water, wastewater and road infrastructure”.
Mr Hersey explains that while public water has been upgraded through the opening of the Dr umcliff water treatment facility and the road infrastructure has been upgraded with the Ennis bypass, “There has been no investment in wastewater infrastructure to date.”
Mr Hersey states that the population of Ennis is expected to grow to approximately 33, 000 by 2022, an increase on the cur rent population of 8,747 persons.
He adds, “At present there is not the capacity on the sewerage system of the town to facilitate the delivery of growth.”
The submission continues, “Since 2006 planning applications for large residential and commercial schemes have been refused in the basis of inadequate capacity in the public sewer and prematurity pending the provision of sewerage facili ties in the town.
“This cannot be the case into the future as the town cannot grow and reach its target population projections as planned until this wastewater treatment plant is upgraded.”
Describing the proposed upgrade as an “essential component of this town’s infrastructure”, Mr Hersey states, “Without it, future development in the town will stagnate and the success of the town as a hub town for the mid-west region will ultimately fail.”