County manager says decision paves the way for construction of plant
Raw sewage has been pumped into the Avoca river while a decision on the sewage treatment was awaited.
WHILE appellant Arklow Holidays Ltd. declined to comment on the Supreme Court decision which ultimately means that Arklow Town Council can move ahead with construction of a much needed treatment plant many local politicians have had plenty to say on the matter.
The decision to refuse to overturn a previous High Court ruling for a judicial review of the decision by An Bord Pleanála to approve planning permission for the treatment plant at Seabank was welcomed by many local representatives and Wicklow County Manager.
Speaking to The Wicklow People Eddie Sheehy outlined that the council's priority is to get the scheme up and running as quickly as possible.
' This decision paves the way for the provision of this plant, which is critically important for the town of Arklow, and its environs. It is our intention now to progress the contract through to construction stage with the minimum of delay. The timely provision of this scheme is now a priority for the Council,' he said.
Fines Gael's Billy Timmins T.D. said that it important no future process gets tied up in the courts for such a length of time.
' This is a very welcome decision after so many years. My understanding is that the funding is available and I now hope that work commences as soon as possible.
' The whole issue must be looked at to ensure that never again is such a project submitted to such a lengthy process.'
Mayor of Arklow Vincent McElheron said that he was satisfied by the Supreme Court outcome in the wake of which he was advised that an appeal to Europe cannot occur.
'I am also satisfied that the initial grounds for objection cannot be revisited as objections to future planning for similar applications.'
The matter of health risks were addressed by Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Fitzgerald who said that the Avoca River has been polluted for far too long.
'I sincerely hope that no further obstacles are placed in the way of the work commencing. For too long raw sewage has been pouring into the Avoca River and thereby in my opinion increasing the health risks for many in our town.
'I understand funding is ring fenced for the project he stated and I look forward to seeing the plant in place in the shortest time possible,' he concluded.
