Capacity on Killaloe-Ballina sewerage scheme

The dramatic collapse in new housing construction in Ballina and Killaloe has resulted in unused sewage capacity that could cater for over 280 people, a local engineer has claimed.
Civil engineer Michael G O’Brien has provided an analysis on the capacity of the sewage treatment facility at Ballina in a recent submission to Clare County Council planning department, concerning Smith O’Brien’s GAA Club’s application for a replacement dressing room and clubhouse.
Mr O’Brien stated people are aware that the treatment system at Ballina was closed to additional discharge from Killaloe following the granting of a number of planning permissions in the area between 1998 and 2004.
He estimates at least 87 houses and 14 three-bedroom and 32 two-bedroom apartments approved for planning permission before the “planning freeze” was put in place against extra development have not been completed.
He pointed out the 87 houses were granted permission in 2004, which expired in April 2010. “To date, only 30 of these houses have been started, none have been finished, none have been sold and all construction activity stopped on the site over 30 months ago.
“I have spoken with local auctioneers and they say that at current rates of sale completions, even if the houses are built, they would not expect to sell more than six to eight houses a year.
“As the permission has expired, it will be necessary for the developer to reapply for permission to complete this development. Planning permission for the 14 two-bedroom apartments and 32 three-bedroom apartments have also expired.
“There is no demand for apartments in the Killaloe area. If all of these were constructed, they would have a population equivalent of over 325 people. They have not been and will not be completed.
“The permission for the apartments has expired and the permission for the 57 houses, which have not even been started, now also expired before this application is decided,” he said.
He estimated the remaining unused capacity within the system would cater for over 280 people in addition to the current proposal.
Even if the approved ClareCare and a new primary care unit are built, he predicts the discharges from these two developments would only equate to about half of the unused capacity thanks to the complete standstill of housing development in the town.
The council recently granted the club permission to erect a new clubhouse containing changing rooms, sports hall, meeting rooms, toilets and ancillary services, spectator stand, hurling wall, astroturf playing area and associated site works subject to 10 conditions at Shantraud, Killaloe.
Meanwhile, the first €1,000 prize in the community fundraiser held by the club recently went to a local woman. The scheme has already attracted 410 members and it is hoped to increase this to over 500 in the coming months.
Committee chairman, Anthony Rodgers and secretary, Tony O’Brien expressed their satisfaction with its success and praised the hard-working committee for all their work.