Kildare County Council reveals waste water treatment plant in Nurney is 'at capacity'

A Co Kildare politician has called on the County Council to consider developing land suitable for housing in places such as Nurney.

 Director of Services in the Housing Department, T McDonnell says that the waste water treatment plant at Nurney  is  'at capacity'.

Mr McDonnell said:"The Housing Department of Kildare County Council has carried out an assessment of land in its ownership and has identified the sites most suitable for development for social housing in the short to medium term."

He said:These include sites of varying sizes. The assessment looked at location, zoning, availability of services etc. A strategy has been developed for the larger sites which are located beside existing large social housing developments."

Mr McDonnell said: "With respect to the specific site identified, the Housing Department has carried out a preliminary study of the 1.2 hectare site in Nurney. This site is identified for Settlement Expansion in the County Development Plan. We estimate that the site is suitable for approximately 25 units. Consultation with internal departments in Kildare County Council has revealed that the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) in Nurney is at capacity and unable to facilitate the connection of additional units at this time."

He said:"In order to further consider options for the delivery of housing at this location, a pre-connection inquiry form is being submitted to Irish Water in relation to this site to establish what plans are in place to upgrade the WWTP. The reply received will determine the delivery timeline for housing units.Members should note that there are other sites in our ownership that are similarly affected by lack of essential infrastructure."