This article is from page 13 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 13 JPG
THE proposed upgrade of the Clondroadmore Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) will not give rise to sustained periods of elevated noise levels, a report has found.
Dermot Moloney, principal acoustic consultant at Moloney and Associates, was speaking at An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing into Clare County Council’s application to upgrade the Clonroadmore WWTP.
In his report, Mr Moloney states that there may be “short intervals during the upgrading works at the WWTP when construction activities results in elevated noise levels. However, these occasions are likely to be infrequent and short-lived.”
Under the heading ‘Likely Environmental Noise Impacts’ Mr Moloney states, “The Fergus Manor housing estate is located on the western side of the railway line approximately 48 metres from the WWTP intake works.”
He added, “The design of the new treatment works has taken into account the proximity of this housing. To this extent the design ensures that any new treatment elements or unit processes are not located any closer to the existing housing development. Thus the proposed upgrade will be contained entirely within the boundary of the existing WWTP site.”
In conclusion, Mr Moloney states, “It is recommended that the final design and the operation of the pro- posed WWTP should proceed with due regard to the need to mitigate noise emissions. This is particularly required to ensure that the surface aerators do not give rise to excessive noise during night time.”
Ecologist Brian Madden, of Biosphere Environmental Services, also spoke at the hearing. Mr Madden said that he carried out a walkover survey of the Clondroadmore plant in 2009.
He said that within the site there are no habitats that could be considered to have a conservation value. He said that the site could be improved by sensible planning. Mr Madden said scrub habitat within the site could be removed, providing this was done outside of the bird-nesting season.