Decision not to build biosolid plant in Greenogue welcomed
By Maurice Garvey
A DECISION by Irish Water not to locate a biosolid plant in Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, has been welcomed by local representative, reports Maurice Garvey.
Irish Water has instead, identified a preferred site at Newtown/Kilshane, in Dublin 11.
The 30-acre Greenogue site was one of five locations proposed for the facility, which is required to treat wastewater sludge from the Ringsend plant.
As reported in The Echo last June, businesses in Greenogue vowed to “fight tooth and nail” to oppose the move.
They cited the close proximity of the site to Peamount Hospital, local villages, Greenogue Business Park with 450 businesses, 6,000 employees, and concerns about impact on air quality from the bio-solid facility.
Clondalkin Fianna Fáil councillor Trevor Gilligan, said the decision not to pick Greenogue “was a wise choice.”
“The preferred location (Newtown) is only 18km from Ringsend – Greenogue being double that amount at 38km,” said Cllr Gilligan.
Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin, said the site was “clearly unsuitable for such a project.”
“This is a victory for common sense and good planning,” said Deputy
Ó Broin.
Fianna Fáil TD John Curran said the proposed development would have been “premature” in advance of upgrades to local road networks.
Deputy Curran said: “This area of Greenogue is zoned for enterprise and employment and to develop a biosolids facility at this location would be a waste of a well-located scarce land resource.”
People Before Profit Alliance Councillor Madeleine Johansson said: “The location would have been totally unsuitable and would have met strong resistance from local residents who rightly felt that this location was too close to residential housing.”
Irish Water intends to lodge a planning application to An Bord Pleanála within the next 12 months.
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