I call on the Director of Services for Planning to brief the members regarding Leitrim County Council’s application to the EPA for funding to trial test a wastewater treatment and disposal facility for one off houses in the County and if he could provide any further news around progress on this initiative.
Minutes:
The members agreed that Motion No 13 in the name of Cllr Enda McGloin and Motion No 14 in the name of Cllr Sean McGowan be taken concurrently as they relate to the same issue.
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Enda McGloin.
"I call on the Director of Services for Planning to brief the members regarding Leitrim County Council’s application to the EPA for funding to trial test a wastewater treatment and disposal facility for one off houses in the County and if he could provide any further news around progress on this initiative."
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"Leitrim County Council is working with Trinity College Dublin in regard to this matter with TCD as lead applicant to the EPA Research Programme and the Council as co-applicant. The application is submitted under the Proposal Title of; Willow evapotranspiration systems as nature-based solutions for on-site wastewater treatment in low permeability areas.
The Council has been recently informed by that EPA that following the evaluation of the proposal, the application has been selected for funding subject to the successful resolution of some matters identified through the evaluation phase. The lead applicant is currently assessing these matters which has just recently been received and will be responding shortly.
Once formal approval is received the partners will commence the planning for the rollout of the project. This project is centred on the upgrading of existing systems on a number of selected local authority housing sites as against greenfield locations in order to shorten the timescale of the project to have the ability to provide meaningful outcome within the parameters of the research programme regarding timescale and to maintain the project within additional provisions of the relevant Code of Practice."
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Sean McGowan.
"I ask Mr Joseph Gilhooly Director of Services Economic Development, Planning & Infrastructure, what is the update from discussions with the Dept. of Housing, Local Government & Heritage and the EPA to finding a viable, workable solution regarding the problems we have here in Leitrim with Zero Discharge in relation to obtaining planning permission for single one-off rural housing?"
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"The Council continues to pursue two options being potential for a revised process for surface water discharges in domestic settings and also the testing of willow evapotranspiration systems as nature-based solutions for on-site wastewater treatment in low permeability areas.
In regard to the former the Council has secured the establishment of a working group under the auspices of the CCMA Committee structure and which consists of membership from a number of local authorities and the Departments Water Advisory Unit. The working groups terms of reference has been agreed and initial scoping meetings held.
In regard to the latter option Leitrim County Council is working with Trinity College Dublin as lead applicant to the EPA Research Programme and the Council as co-applicant and have submitted an application for funding under the Proposal Title of; Willow evapotranspiration systems as nature-based solutions for on-site wastewater treatment in low permeability areas.
The Council has been recently informed by that EPA that following the evaluation of the proposal, the application has been selected for funding subject to the successful resolution of some matters identified through the evaluation phase. The lead applicant is currently assessing these matters which has just recently been received and will be responding shortly.
Once formal approval is received the partners will commence the planning for the rollout of the project. This project is centred on the upgrading of existing systems on a number of selected local authority housing sites as against greenfield locations in order to shorten the timescale of the project to have the ability to provide meaningful outcome within the parameters of the research programme regarding timescale and to maintain the project within additional provisions of the relevant Code of Practice."
Councillor Enda McGloin welcomed the reply from the Executive and said it was a good “news day” and he paid tribute to the Director of Services and his team for all their work in this regard.
Councillor Sean McGowan said it is important to try and safeguard rural Ireland and provide homes to sustain our schools and communities. Cllr McGowan said he has been in contact with Minister O’Brien in this regard and he acknowledged this has been going on a long time.
Councillor Sean McDermott welcomed the update referring to population decreases in North Leitrim. He outlined his hopes that the scheme is successful, as young people are needed to make communities sustainable
Councillor Justin Warnock asked if we can be confident that this is going to work as this research programme has a duration of another 3 years.
Councillor Brendan Barry welcomed the update and sought clarification on the following
• How many houses will be in research programme?
• How long will it take to put infrastructure in place at the pilot sites?
• How much will it cost per house?
• What percentage of the installation is covered by funding?
• How long will the research programme take?
Councillor Barry paid tribute to the Director of Services and his team for all their work over the years and acknowledged that the zerowaste target is very hard to achieve.
Councillor Guckian expressed his dissatisfaction with the 3 year timeframe and the concept of zero discharge.
Mr Gilhooly outlined that the timescale for the EPA is 3 years. To meet this timescale and to have a meaningful outcome within the parameters of the research programme, he outlined that the pilot scheme will focus on upgrading existing wastewater systems in a small number of local authority houses where improvement to existing systems is required. He clarified that the installation cost will be borne by the Local Authority, with the research element being funding by the EPA and Trinity College.
Councillor Enda Stenson paid tribute to the Planning Department and said it is possible to build in Leitrim if the infrastructure is right.
Councillor Padraig Fallon acknowledged the importance of collaborating with the EPA on this scheme and queried if any element of the research take place in a thoroughly rural site in the countryside.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly outlined that all sites will be dependent on a stand-alone based water treatment site with a maximum of 2 houses in any one pod. He advised the cost will be dependent on the design, but it is expected to be in the region of €20,000 to €25,000 based on current designs, but that it hoped that this will be less.
Councillor Enda McGloin said this has been the most positive news regarding one-off housing since 2010, and he acknowledged that the research programme is for three years.
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paddy O’Rourke said that we must ensure that when site works are to be carried out that any competent contractor can carry out the work.
Councillor Sean McGowan welcomed the progress made.