Major disruption' expected as 'critical' national project set to run through Kildare

People in Kildare have been warned of 'major disruption' as a planning application is being prepared for one of Ireland’s largest ever infrastructure projects.

Uisce Éireann’s Shannon to Dublin pipeline project aims to transfer water from the Parteen Basin on the River Shannon in County Clare to Peamount in County Dublin.

By abstracting water and transporting it to Dublin, it is set to provide a new, sustainable water source for the growing population in the eastern and midlands region of Ireland.

The project was discussed at the October plenary meeting of Offaly County Council, as the Faithful County is among those which will impacted.

Senior Executive Officer in the Planning Department, Caroline Dempsey, said the planning application for the project could be submitted by the end of the year.

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She warned elected members of “major disruption” once works get underway, with the pipeline set to run through several counties.

The pipeline will enter County Kildare just north of Rathangan, before traversing in an easterly direction and exiting the county near Cellbridge.

The project has been designated as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID), which requires the developer to submit the planning application directly to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

This means that Uisce Éireann does not need to seek permission from Kildare County Council or any other local authority for the development.

However, the council will be invited to submit a report to the commission outlining its concerns once the planning application has been submitted.

Subject to planning approval, Uisce Éireann has said that construction of the pipeline could take up to five years.