Environmental and Planning Information
In 2009, An Board Pleanála gave approval for the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant at Shanbally, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork. This also included the construction of four major pumping stations at West Beach (Cobh), Carrigaloe, Monkstown and Raffeen, together with the modification of Church Road (Carrigaline) pumping station. The result will see an overall catchment network of twenty small and five large pumping stations, as well as a single outfall off Ringaskiddy which is already in operation.
Environmental Impact Assessment
From 2000 to 2009, Cork County Council undertook an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the Project. The Environmental Impact Assessment looked any potential environmental impacts of the Project and associated mitigation measures that may be needed. As part of the EIA process, an Environmental Impact Statement was produced. This stated that the provision for a wastewater treatment plant at Shanbally will not have significant adverse effects on the environment and would be in accordance with proper planning and development of the area.
An Environmental Impact Statement (Ref YA005) for the project was approved by An Bord Pleanála in June 2009. The Environmental Protection Agency issued Cork County Council with Waste Water Discharge Authorisation Licences (June 2010, subsequent amendment in September 2010).
Planning
Since the original planning permission was granted, specific project details have been finalised. Therefore, requests were subsequently made to An Bord Pleanála that the terms of the development as approved be altered to reflect the finalised location of pumping stations and pipeline on the south and north sides of Cork Lower Harbour. An Bord Pleanála gave approval for these alterations on 22 October 2015 and 23 March 2017 respectively.
An application for a Foreshore Licence was made in order to construct the part of the pipeline collection network on the north side of Cork Lower Harbour which will occur in the foreshore area. This is in addition to the 2015 application relating to the southside of Cork Lower Harbour. Further details are available on our Foreshore Licence Application page.
Negotiations with landowners are ongoing in order to acquire the necessary lands and wayleaves by agreement. To maintain the program Uisce Éireann made a Compulsory Purchase Order in relation to the required lands on the south side of Cork Harbour and this order was confirmed on 12 October 2015. A similar order for the required lands for Cobh and the estuary crossing was made on 27 September 2016.
