Environment & Planning

Environmental Impact Assessment

An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) was prepared by Uisce Éireann to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and was submitted to the planning authority for evaluation along with the planning application documents.

The EIAR submitted as part of the planning application is available here.

Planning

On 20 June 2018, Uisce Éireann submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála, complete with an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS). The application was made under planning legislation that relates to Strategic Infrastructure Develop. A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) was also submitted.

The GDD planning application is available here. An Bord Pleanála then held statutory public consultation including an oral hearing

On 13 November 2019, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission and confirmed the Compulsory Purchase Order for the GDD project. This planning permission was quashed following the issue of legal proceedings and a Court hearing. The planning application was subsequently remitted back to An Bord Pleanála by the High Court in 2021 for a fresh decision. An Bord Pleanála subsequently wrote to Uisce Éireann in August 2022 providing Uisce Éireann the opportunity to update, where appropriate, the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement and any other information submitted. Uisce Éireann submitted a detailed response to this request in October 2023, which is available on www.gddapplication.ie.  An Bord Pleanála will provide direction on the next stages in the planning process in due course.