Anglers object to plans for nearly 250 Killarney homes
New St, Killarney. It has been claimed the application would result in a 'significant increase in the annual daily load into the Killarney Town Sewage Treatment system and network'.
Anglers have lodged an appeal against a major housing development in Killarney because of the deteriorating water quality in the town's lakes and rivers blamed on its sewage network and treatment plant.
Large-scale applications should be considered "premature" until Kerry County Council and Uisce Éireann carry out upgrades to the storm and foul sewer systems in Killarney's Sewer network, the Laune Salon and Trout Anglers’ Association say.
Kenmare-based KPH Construction had been given the go-ahead by the council for 249 new residential units on a site at Upper Park Rd.
It is the latest in several applications by separate companies for the Park/Cronin’s Wood area over the years, none of which have come to fruition.
Permission with conditions was granted by Kerry County Council to KPH for a mix of one-bed and two-bed apartments as well as terrace and semi-detached houses and other facilities.
However, the Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers’ Association have now objected, amid concerns about the deterioration in the quality of the water in Lough Leane as well as the Flesk and Laune Rivers.
The anglers have no objection in principle to more housing for Killarney, honorary secretary Danny Joy of Killorglin said.
However the the application would result in a "significant increase in the annual daily load into the Killarney Town Sewage Treatment system and network".
The sewer network in Killarney combines foul and storm water and the town already experiences problems during heavy rainfall.
The treatment plant was unable to cope "and consequently raw effluent regularly enters the Lough Leane Catchment" according to the anglers' submission.
They also referred to a previous Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report which found the Killarney treatment system was "probably" the principal cause of pollution in the River Flesk.
The most recent report by the EPA found the River Laune was one of the two worst rivers in the country for water quality.
"The recent EPA water quality 2022 report indicates that the River Laune water quality has significantly deteriorated in the last number of years and is now one of the two worst rivers in the country for water quality.
Having regard to Killarney’s reliance on tourism and in particular recreational activities this is a catastrophic situation," the anglers submit.
The planning appeal case is due to be decided by An Bord Pleanála in early April.
Meanwhile, Uisce Éireann said it will examine the sewage treatment plant on Ross Rd, in light of the EPA reports and is carrying out a review of the network.
A drainage area plan is currently being carried out to analyse flows in the network and the impact these may have on the public and the environment.
Once this review is completed [by the end of the year], appropriate network measures and solutions will be identified, the water authority said.
"In parallel with this, the options in relation to modifying/ upgrading the existing wastewater treatment plant in order to provide for growth and continued discharge to the Folly Stream, along with the options for relocating the primary discharge to alternative discharge locations, are currently being assessed," the utility said
It also said Killarney will be considered as a candidate for inclusion when planning for the next investment cycle (2025 -2029).
The most recent council meeting has heard how ‘not a single social or affordable house’ is planned by the council or any housing agency for Killarney in 2024 or 2025.
Labour councillor Marie Moloney said the situation was unacceptable, particularly as Killarney is the town which pays the most rates in Kerry.
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