Locals in Ringsend are resisting proposals to significantly increase the size of the controversial waste sewage treatment plant in the area.
They sent a strongly worded submission outlining their objections to a strategic environment assessment of drainage in Dublin.
The e300 million plant, which opened in June 2003, brought to an end the dumping of more than 40 million gallons of raw sewage into Dublin Bay each day.
However, while the plant substantially improved water quality, a putrid smell has regularly affected the surrounding communities of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount.
A draft environmental report prepared by consultants on the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study Strategy (GDSDS) recommends that the capacity of the waste water treatment plant – which currently treats the waste of about 1.6 million people – should be extended to cater for the needs of over two million people.
However, the report prepared on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Dublin region also contains a “strategy approach” proposal that the Ringsend plant treat the waste of up to 2.4 million people by 2011 and 2.8 million people by 2031.
“This strategy approach is based on retaining Ringsend as the terminus for all flows from an extended Ringsend catchment including all future development in South Dublin, West Fingal, East Meath and ultimately even embracing North Kildare,” the report states.
Mott McDonald Petit Ltd and Environmental Resources Management Ireland Ltd prepared the Draft Environmental Report on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the GDSDS strategy on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Greater Dublin Region.
In its submission on the report the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group claimed that an attempt was being made to compound past mistakes by proposing to increase the capacity of the treatment plant. They warned that they would resist the potential move “by any means possible”.
The submission notes that the smell still persists in the vicinity of the plant despite the requirements of the original Environmental Impact Statement, stipulating that foul odours should be confined to the plant itself.
“This group, far from wishing to see the plant extended, would suggest that the plant be decommissioned until such time as it has been properly assessed by the European authorities to comply with EU directives on the treatment of waste,” the submission says.
“It is totally unjust, undemocratic and out of order that any one area should be expected to tolerate the serious pollution caused by the existing plant…if the plant were allowed to be extended in any way, obviously the pollution would be extended given that the plant does not operate properly.”
In response to the submission by the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group a spokesman for Dublin City Council – which is behind the planning to extend the plant - said it was “untrue” to say that the existing Ringsend plant causes serious pollution.
“On the contrary it is acknowledged by bona fide environmental organisations, such as the EPA and An Taisce that the water in Dublin Bay has significantly improved since the Ringsend Treatment Works commenced operations in 2003,” he said.
“Dollymount, Seapoint, Sandymount and Shellybanks beaches have all been awarded Blue Flag or Green Coast awards in recent years, based on excellent water quality, which makes Dublin unique among capital cities.
“The remaining odour issues at Ringsend are currently being addressed and will be resolved on a phased basis for completion during 2008. Detailed planning of the extension of the Ringsend Treatment Works has not yet commenced but when it does the proposal will be subject to the usual statutory procedures.”
Northside People
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label poolbeg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poolbeg. Show all posts
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Residents kick up stink over waste plant
Locals in Ringsend are resisting proposals to significantly increase the size of the controversial waste sewage treatment plant in the area.
They sent a strongly worded submission outlining their objections to a strategic environment assessment of drainage in Dublin.
The e300 million plant, which opened in June 2003, brought to an end the dumping of more than 40 million gallons of raw sewage into Dublin Bay each day.
However, while the plant substantially improved water quality, a putrid smell has regularly affected the surrounding communities of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount.
A draft environmental report prepared by consultants on the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study Strategy (GDSDS) recommends that the capacity of the waste water treatment plant – which currently treats the waste of about 1.6 million people – should be extended to cater for the needs of over two million people.
However, the report prepared on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Dublin region also contains a “strategy approach” proposal that the Ringsend plant treat the waste of up to 2.4 million people by 2011 and 2.8 million people by 2031.
“This strategy approach is based on retaining Ringsend as the terminus for all flows from an extended Ringsend catchment including all future development in South Dublin, West Fingal, East Meath and ultimately even embracing North Kildare,” the report states.
Mott McDonald Petit Ltd and Environmental Resources Management Ireland Ltd prepared the Draft Environmental Report on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the GDSDS strategy on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Greater Dublin Region.
In its submission on the report the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group claimed that an attempt was being made to compound past mistakes by proposing to increase the capacity of the treatment plant. They warned that they would resist the potential move “by any means possible”.
The submission notes that the smell still persists in the vicinity of the plant despite the requirements of the original Environmental Impact Statement, stipulating that foul odours should be confined to the plant itself.
“This group, far from wishing to see the plant extended, would suggest that the plant be decommissioned until such time as it has been properly assessed by the European authorities to comply with EU directives on the treatment of waste,” the submission says.
“It is totally unjust, undemocratic and out of order that any one area should be expected to tolerate the serious pollution caused by the existing plant…if the plant were allowed to be extended in any way, obviously the pollution would be extended given that the plant does not operate properly.”
In response to the submission by the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group a spokesman for Dublin City Council – which is behind the planning to extend the plant - said it was “untrue” to say that the existing Ringsend plant causes serious pollution.
“On the contrary it is acknowledged by bona fide environmental organisations, such as the EPA and An Taisce that the water in Dublin Bay has significantly improved since the Ringsend Treatment Works commenced operations in 2003,” he said.
“Dollymount, Seapoint, Sandymount and Shellybanks beaches have all been awarded Blue Flag or Green Coast awards in recent years, based on excellent water quality, which makes Dublin unique among capital cities.
“The remaining odour issues at Ringsend are currently being addressed and will be resolved on a phased basis for completion during 2008. Detailed planning of the extension of the Ringsend Treatment Works has not yet commenced but when it does the proposal will be subject to the usual statutory procedures.”
Northside People
www.buckplanning.ie
They sent a strongly worded submission outlining their objections to a strategic environment assessment of drainage in Dublin.
The e300 million plant, which opened in June 2003, brought to an end the dumping of more than 40 million gallons of raw sewage into Dublin Bay each day.
However, while the plant substantially improved water quality, a putrid smell has regularly affected the surrounding communities of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount.
A draft environmental report prepared by consultants on the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study Strategy (GDSDS) recommends that the capacity of the waste water treatment plant – which currently treats the waste of about 1.6 million people – should be extended to cater for the needs of over two million people.
However, the report prepared on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Dublin region also contains a “strategy approach” proposal that the Ringsend plant treat the waste of up to 2.4 million people by 2011 and 2.8 million people by 2031.
“This strategy approach is based on retaining Ringsend as the terminus for all flows from an extended Ringsend catchment including all future development in South Dublin, West Fingal, East Meath and ultimately even embracing North Kildare,” the report states.
Mott McDonald Petit Ltd and Environmental Resources Management Ireland Ltd prepared the Draft Environmental Report on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the GDSDS strategy on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Greater Dublin Region.
In its submission on the report the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group claimed that an attempt was being made to compound past mistakes by proposing to increase the capacity of the treatment plant. They warned that they would resist the potential move “by any means possible”.
The submission notes that the smell still persists in the vicinity of the plant despite the requirements of the original Environmental Impact Statement, stipulating that foul odours should be confined to the plant itself.
“This group, far from wishing to see the plant extended, would suggest that the plant be decommissioned until such time as it has been properly assessed by the European authorities to comply with EU directives on the treatment of waste,” the submission says.
“It is totally unjust, undemocratic and out of order that any one area should be expected to tolerate the serious pollution caused by the existing plant…if the plant were allowed to be extended in any way, obviously the pollution would be extended given that the plant does not operate properly.”
In response to the submission by the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group a spokesman for Dublin City Council – which is behind the planning to extend the plant - said it was “untrue” to say that the existing Ringsend plant causes serious pollution.
“On the contrary it is acknowledged by bona fide environmental organisations, such as the EPA and An Taisce that the water in Dublin Bay has significantly improved since the Ringsend Treatment Works commenced operations in 2003,” he said.
“Dollymount, Seapoint, Sandymount and Shellybanks beaches have all been awarded Blue Flag or Green Coast awards in recent years, based on excellent water quality, which makes Dublin unique among capital cities.
“The remaining odour issues at Ringsend are currently being addressed and will be resolved on a phased basis for completion during 2008. Detailed planning of the extension of the Ringsend Treatment Works has not yet commenced but when it does the proposal will be subject to the usual statutory procedures.”
Northside People
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 20 April 2007
More than 2,500 formal objections to incinerator
MORE than 2,500 formal objections to plans by the four local authorities in Dublin to build a large incinerator on a site in Poolbeg at the mouth of the River Liffey have been lodged.
An oral hearing by An Bord Pleanála (ABP), which began in Dublin yesterday, heard that the incinerator was opposed by the elected members of Dublin City Council, despite being promoted by the management of the local authority.
ABP inspector Padraig Thornton said the planning authority had received 165 separate submissions on proposals to build an incinerator at Poolbeg.
An additional 2,591 observations have also been made by individuals, environmental groups, residents associations, State bodies and other parties. The vast majority of observations contained objections to the proposed incinerator.
The Dublin Port Company and two other parties specifically opposed a compulsory purchase order placed on the site of the incinerator by Dublin City Council. The planning inspector said it had appeared on a preliminary reading of all the files that only two parties had come out in support of the incinerator.
Among the various grounds for opposing planning permission for the project are claims that it runs contrary to both EU and national policies on waste management and nature conservation as well as the Dublin City Development Plan. Opponents of the incinerator claim that it poses a threat to public health because of the increased risk of air, water and noise pollution and possible soil contamination. The location of the proposed incinerator on the Poolbeg peninsula near the ESB Pigeon House power plant could also be subject to flooding.
They also argue the transport of large quantities of waste to the incinerator will result in additional traffic problems on an already congested road network in the Ringsend area.
Other complaints relate to the inadequacy of the related Environmental Impact Statement submitted with the planning application for the incinerator.
Many objectors also argued that the site selection process was flawed and out of date. In addition, they claim the incinerator will also damage visual, recreational and residential amenities in the area.
However, representatives of Dublin City Council told the hearing that the incinerator, which they prefer to call “a waste to energy project”, was the right solution for Dublin. The local authority believes the facility which will be located on a 15.4-acre site in Poolbeg can handle up to 600,000 tonnes of household and non-hazardous industrial waste each year. It is estimated that 25% of the city’s refuse will be sent for incineration.
Much of yesterday’s proceedings were dominated by procedural wrangling as various opponents claimed they were being placed at an unfair disadvantage because of the lack of information on the project being provided by Dublin City Council.
A total of 29 witnesses will give evidence on behalf of Dublin City Council over the next few days. TDs and councillors for the area, including Tánaiste Michael McDowell are expected to be called next week.
Irish Examiner
An oral hearing by An Bord Pleanála (ABP), which began in Dublin yesterday, heard that the incinerator was opposed by the elected members of Dublin City Council, despite being promoted by the management of the local authority.
ABP inspector Padraig Thornton said the planning authority had received 165 separate submissions on proposals to build an incinerator at Poolbeg.
An additional 2,591 observations have also been made by individuals, environmental groups, residents associations, State bodies and other parties. The vast majority of observations contained objections to the proposed incinerator.
The Dublin Port Company and two other parties specifically opposed a compulsory purchase order placed on the site of the incinerator by Dublin City Council. The planning inspector said it had appeared on a preliminary reading of all the files that only two parties had come out in support of the incinerator.
Among the various grounds for opposing planning permission for the project are claims that it runs contrary to both EU and national policies on waste management and nature conservation as well as the Dublin City Development Plan. Opponents of the incinerator claim that it poses a threat to public health because of the increased risk of air, water and noise pollution and possible soil contamination. The location of the proposed incinerator on the Poolbeg peninsula near the ESB Pigeon House power plant could also be subject to flooding.
They also argue the transport of large quantities of waste to the incinerator will result in additional traffic problems on an already congested road network in the Ringsend area.
Other complaints relate to the inadequacy of the related Environmental Impact Statement submitted with the planning application for the incinerator.
Many objectors also argued that the site selection process was flawed and out of date. In addition, they claim the incinerator will also damage visual, recreational and residential amenities in the area.
However, representatives of Dublin City Council told the hearing that the incinerator, which they prefer to call “a waste to energy project”, was the right solution for Dublin. The local authority believes the facility which will be located on a 15.4-acre site in Poolbeg can handle up to 600,000 tonnes of household and non-hazardous industrial waste each year. It is estimated that 25% of the city’s refuse will be sent for incineration.
Much of yesterday’s proceedings were dominated by procedural wrangling as various opponents claimed they were being placed at an unfair disadvantage because of the lack of information on the project being provided by Dublin City Council.
A total of 29 witnesses will give evidence on behalf of Dublin City Council over the next few days. TDs and councillors for the area, including Tánaiste Michael McDowell are expected to be called next week.
Irish Examiner
Friday, 23 February 2007
The proposed site for an incinerator at Poolbeg
A DELEGATION from the European Commission is to travel to Dublin next month to inspect the proposed site for an incinerator at Poolbeg.
In addition, Dublin City Council have been ordered by An Bord Pleanála to publish key information which was not given by the council at the time of the original advertisement.
According to Damien Cassidy of the Ringsend Environment Group, representatives of the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament are to examine the chosen site and ask why it was chosen when it is so near to people’s houses.
They will also look for details of the consultation process which the council engaged in.
News of the delegation’s visit comes as the council prepares to re-advertise key details of the proposal which Dublin City Council has not made available before.
Further information was submitted to the council in November 2006 and also earlier this month.
On February 15, An Bord Pleanála wrote to the council telling the local authority it must republish adverts in the national media outlining that it has submitted more information on the project.
Among the areas that information covers is the likely effects on the environment of the proposed development and the ‘Dublin Waste to Energy Project Major Accident Hazard Assessment’ which was revised as late as this month.
The board also told the local authority all that information must be made available to the public and that they must be given the opportunity to make submissions.
Mr Cassidy said: “There was a public consultation process, but there was no consultation.
“Staff from the city council and foreign engineers brought by them gave their version of how it would be great.
“We asked for the other side of the story to be given. That was never done.”
Dublin City Council issued a statement on Wednesday saying the Poolbeg project was still on track despite claims from by Tánaiste Michael McDowell that it was to be abandoned.
It said last night it would not issue any further comment.
During a special Dáil discussion on the proposed incinerator in Poolbeg last night, Áine Kerr writes that Labour’s Ruairi Quinn said it would be the “height of irresponsibility” if the Environment Minister Dick Roche allowed the project to proceed when it was “never going to fly”.
Mr Quinn queried if there had been a breach in confidentiality when the Justice Minister announced that plans for the incinerator had collapsed.
Stephen Rogers
© Irish Examiner
In addition, Dublin City Council have been ordered by An Bord Pleanála to publish key information which was not given by the council at the time of the original advertisement.
According to Damien Cassidy of the Ringsend Environment Group, representatives of the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament are to examine the chosen site and ask why it was chosen when it is so near to people’s houses.
They will also look for details of the consultation process which the council engaged in.
News of the delegation’s visit comes as the council prepares to re-advertise key details of the proposal which Dublin City Council has not made available before.
Further information was submitted to the council in November 2006 and also earlier this month.
On February 15, An Bord Pleanála wrote to the council telling the local authority it must republish adverts in the national media outlining that it has submitted more information on the project.
Among the areas that information covers is the likely effects on the environment of the proposed development and the ‘Dublin Waste to Energy Project Major Accident Hazard Assessment’ which was revised as late as this month.
The board also told the local authority all that information must be made available to the public and that they must be given the opportunity to make submissions.
Mr Cassidy said: “There was a public consultation process, but there was no consultation.
“Staff from the city council and foreign engineers brought by them gave their version of how it would be great.
“We asked for the other side of the story to be given. That was never done.”
Dublin City Council issued a statement on Wednesday saying the Poolbeg project was still on track despite claims from by Tánaiste Michael McDowell that it was to be abandoned.
It said last night it would not issue any further comment.
During a special Dáil discussion on the proposed incinerator in Poolbeg last night, Áine Kerr writes that Labour’s Ruairi Quinn said it would be the “height of irresponsibility” if the Environment Minister Dick Roche allowed the project to proceed when it was “never going to fly”.
Mr Quinn queried if there had been a breach in confidentiality when the Justice Minister announced that plans for the incinerator had collapsed.
Stephen Rogers
© Irish Examiner
Tuesday, 20 February 2007
Poolbeg incinerator - consultation to re-open
This from Olivia Kelly at The Irish Times:
The proposed development of a municipal waste incinerator at Poolbeg, Dublin, has received a setback following an order from Bord Pleanála to Dublin City Council to reopen public consultation on aspects of the plan.
It a letter to the council dated February 15th, the planning board has directed that the council must make available to the public new information on the likely impact on the environment of the development and its consequences for "proper planning and sustainable development" in the area.
The board makes particular reference to a document entitled Dublin Waste to Energy Project Major Accident Hazard Assessment which was not submitted with the council's original planning application.
This document was received by Bord Pleanála last September and then revised by the council and resubmitted to the board less than two weeks ago.
The council must also publish queries it received from the Health and Safety Authority and the responses it made to those queries.
The council originally applied for planning permission for the incinerator, which will burn 600,000 tonnes of waste annually, last July. More than 2,000
objections to the council's application were received by Bord Pleanála last October.
Objections to the facility were made by several environmental groups and local residents, including the Tánaiste Michael McDowell.
The council has been ordered to publish notices in at least one national newspaper stating the new information is now available for public consultation.
The new public consultation period must be a minimum of three weeks, the board says, during which time the public will have an opportunity to make further observations or submissions to the board.
The council said yesterday that it intended to make the information available to the public from next week, and would make no comment on the material until that time. The new requirements of the board would not affect its plans for the incinerator or its relationships with the chosen developer of the plant, Danish company Elsam.
An Bord Pleanála had intended to make an announcement in relation to the application, most likely the date for an oral hearing, this month. However, this has been delayed until April at the earliest.
The proposed development of a municipal waste incinerator at Poolbeg, Dublin, has received a setback following an order from Bord Pleanála to Dublin City Council to reopen public consultation on aspects of the plan.
It a letter to the council dated February 15th, the planning board has directed that the council must make available to the public new information on the likely impact on the environment of the development and its consequences for "proper planning and sustainable development" in the area.
The board makes particular reference to a document entitled Dublin Waste to Energy Project Major Accident Hazard Assessment which was not submitted with the council's original planning application.
This document was received by Bord Pleanála last September and then revised by the council and resubmitted to the board less than two weeks ago.
The council must also publish queries it received from the Health and Safety Authority and the responses it made to those queries.
The council originally applied for planning permission for the incinerator, which will burn 600,000 tonnes of waste annually, last July. More than 2,000
objections to the council's application were received by Bord Pleanála last October.
Objections to the facility were made by several environmental groups and local residents, including the Tánaiste Michael McDowell.
The council has been ordered to publish notices in at least one national newspaper stating the new information is now available for public consultation.
The new public consultation period must be a minimum of three weeks, the board says, during which time the public will have an opportunity to make further observations or submissions to the board.
The council said yesterday that it intended to make the information available to the public from next week, and would make no comment on the material until that time. The new requirements of the board would not affect its plans for the incinerator or its relationships with the chosen developer of the plant, Danish company Elsam.
An Bord Pleanála had intended to make an announcement in relation to the application, most likely the date for an oral hearing, this month. However, this has been delayed until April at the earliest.
Friday, 24 November 2006
Roche asked about appointment
A Green Party call for Minister for the Environment Dick Roche to explain the appointment to An Bord Pleanála of a person connected with a proposal to build an incinerator in Poolbeg,
The party's finance spokesman, Dan Boyle, said the Minister had appointed to the board of Bord Pleanála a member of the RPS company "intimately involved in the proposal to construct an incinerator for Poolbeg in
Mr Boyle also said it was "part of a trend of similarly compromising appointments by the Government, such as the previous appointment as a director of the Environmental Protection Agency of a former member of Indaver, the company seeking to construct two incinerators at Ringaskiddy, Co
The Cork South Central deputy said Mr Roche should make a statement to the House on the "circumstances whereby he has appointed to the board of An Bord Pleanála a member of the RPS company, intimately involved in the proposal to build an incinerator at Poolbeg,
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