Planning permission is being sought by Uisce Éireann for an upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant at Ballineen-Enniskeane, which should allow for further growth and small development house building in the area.

The present plant, built in the 1980s, is designed for a population of 660 but actually serves 759, and so is significantly overloaded and not fit for purpose.

The plans are for an upgrade of the existing plant, and a new second plant at the Dunmanway side of the village on a greenfield site alongside the main road; discussions have already taken place with the owner of the site.

The plans should increase the capacity of the plant to 1,200 people.

No ‘significant effects on the environment’ are foreseen with the development, and Uisce Éireann say that the upgrades will mean improved treatment of stormwater flows, and there is no potential for ‘residual adverse effects’ on the River Bandon Special Area of Conservation.

The upgrades and new building will involve tanks that are both above and below ground.

The current site is not visible from the main road, and the new site is about three metres below the road level of the main Dunmanway Road.