Mussels may deal blow to Mallow’s ‘hub status’

One of the country’s leading planning consultants fears Mallow’s "hub town" status may be revoked if a quick solution is not found to improving water quality in the River Blackwater.

Brian McCutcheon made his comment after it was revealed an EU directive looks likely to put major housing and industrial development on hold along the Blackwater Valley because of the presence of the freshwater pearl mussel.

The revelation sent shockwaves around County Hall last Monday as the EU wants the mussel protected because it is susceptible to pollution and its numbers have declined by 8% since 2007.