‘Short-term’ fix in pipeline for Virginia water

Seamus Enright

The Council is working with Irish Water with a view to rolling out a “short term fix” that could lift present restrictions on plans to build almost 200 new houses in the east of the county.

The two parties are already committed to upgrading the Virginia Wastewater Treatment Plant by 2021. However a stop-gap fix in the interim would further boost residential and economic development in the town.
It follows a decision by An Bord Pleanála to overturn the Council's decision to grant permission to Murmod Estimators Ltd for the development of 78 houses at The Drumlins on the Bailieborough Road, stating the town's water infrastructure is inadequate to cope with any extra demand.
Eamonn Mc Donnell and Elaine Cotter of Murmod Estimators subsequently returned with a smaller application for just 27 new dwellings as part of the same development. That was granted in May last year, but it remains as one of several projects affected by the planning impasse.
Work on The Drumlins commenced in 2014 by Bradmur Homes. The initial December 2016 application for 78 houses scheduled the development to be completed in four phases
Others include Lycon Properties Ltd which was granted an extension on plans to build 42 new units at River Crescent; Doontas Rowan Ltd which is seeking to construct 12 new houses as part of Phase 5 of the Yew Park development at Ballaghanea; and biggest involving an extension of time granted to Capital Oil Supplies Ltd in respect of 105 houses along with a crèche at Rahardrum.
The most recent application granted involves PSDC Developments Ltd which was permitted to change the house type of 11 planned homes at Rampart View, Rahardrum.
An Bord Pleanála had highlighted the existing constraints at the Virginia Wastewater Treatment Plant. It is said to be already operating beyond its design capacity.
Irish Water has said it is “acutely aware” of the need to upgrade the the facility, which it's envisaged will not only improve the quality of effluent being discharged to Lough Ramor, but also to facilitate residential and economic development in the town.
Confirmation however that interim improvements are being actively examined in a bid to improve the current output at the plant was provided to elected members at their recent monthly meeting.
“There is nothing for the moment,” stated Director of Services Paddy Connaughton, but he added: “but hopefully we will have a solution in the coming months.”