UP to 40 people from Carraroe protested outside County Hall on Monday against plans to build a sewage treatment plant at a scenie pier in the area.

Galway County Council was to vote on Monday on the draft proposai to build the treatment plant at An Sruthán but following the protest it was agreed to defer a decision until all seven Connemara councillors meet with the locals and visit the site for themseives.

Almost a year ago, 300 people attended a public meeting in Carraroe which raised concerns about the proposed location of the treatment plant. Local people agree that there is indeed a dire need for a sewage treatment plant to meet the increased demands of a bigger population, one that trebles during the summer months when Irish language students and holiday home owners visit the area.

Coiste Cheibh an tSruthán has led the campaign against the An Sruthán location for the project which they say will jeopardise plans 10 develop the small pier as a luxury marina.

The bay is already an official mooring location for yachts from all over Ireland and from foreign countries. There are also plans 10 extend Sruthán Pier as a hub for traditional Gaiway Hookers and as a centre for the sailing fraternity. Sruthan Pier is also a working pier used by local fishermen. All this could be compromised, the Coiste says. The pier is officially a Ciass C High Amenity area,

The immediate area is also a populated residential area and those living locally are very concerned about the affects the plant might have on their quality of life.

Local people maintain that the scenic location will be forever ruined if the Council decides to go ahead with the plans that are presently on the table.

At Monday's Council meeting, Clir. Seosamh Ó Cuaig asked that the matter be deferred but he was reminded that a decision, one way or another, has to made within the next five weeks. That means the Connemara councillors have to meet with locals before the next Council monthiy meeting.

Certain works have already been carried out including the laying of much bigger and newer pipes but it is generally accepted that the system had to be upgraded anyway. The crux of the matter is the actual location of the treatment plant, which will consist of open top tanks and ancillary tall buildings. Some of these would be within 75 metres of some residential homes and would overlook Casla Bay.

The main issues of concern are visual impact, odour pollution, noise pollution and dis-charges from the plant.

We believe that developing this sewage treatment plant at this location wiIl have an adverse effect on the wellbeing of the whole local community in many ways environmental, physical, psychological, and economic.

A beautiful scenic spot will be destroyed. A sewage treatment plant will be located on what is an existing ridge in a residential and leisure arnenity area and the tourist potential of An Sruthan will be jeopardised forever, said a Coiste spokesman.

The Coiste also believe that there has been an undoubted democratic deficit in this Part 8 planning process but they still have faith in the democratic process and hope and believe that their concerns will be addressed.

Plctured above: Tomas De Bháilís at Galway County Hall on Manday with the group of local people who voiced their concern an the proposed sewage treatment plant ta be situated on a site adjacent ta the pierat An Sruthán

BY BERME NÍ FHLATHARTA Cúradh Chonnachtach 30/1/2009