Planning permission has been granted for a massive new sewage treatment plant in Clonshaugh in North Dublin.
The controversial Greater Dublin Drainage project, that is set to cost €500 million, was subject to more than 14,000 objections.
Irish Water says its needed to cater for future population growth. But residents said the plant would put the health of people and wildlife at risk.
The plan includes the wastewater treatment facility, an underground orbital sewer from Blanchardstown to Clonshaugh, a new pumping station at Abbotsown, and a partial diversion of the north fringe sewer.
It also includes an outfall pipeline to return the treated water to the Irish Sea, a regional sludge treatment centre and a biosolids storage facility.
“This plant will have the capacity to dump 300 million litres of waste water every 24 hours just off Ireland’s Eye and will have a catastrophic effect on the Dublin Bay Biosphere,” said Sabrina Joyce-Kemper from the ‘Solution not Pollution’ Campaign.
She went on to say they are prepared to take legal action;
“We’re ready to initiate a judicial review in the High Court and after reading the Boards Decision feel that they have left themselves open to legal proceedings by failing to appropriately assesses the project under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives”.
The plant is expected to be operational by 2026.
