Public Participation
The site for the Regional Biosolids Storage Facility at Newtown/Kilshane in Dublin 11 was selected following a thorough site selection process.
The site selection process included three stages of public consultation, which identified a number of feasible sites. Following consultation and detailed review of all of the sites, the Newtown/Kilshane site was selected as the site for the Regional Biosolids Storage Facility and a planning application was prepared.
The site has undergone all the relevant environmental studies and assessments as part of its planning application and the facility was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanala in April 2019 as part of Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant grant of permission.
Public participation in the development of the project
Uisce Éireann seeks to engage stakeholders on each of its projects in an accessible, meaningful, transparent and accountable manner to ensure better outcomes for the parties involved.
All stakeholder engagement activity carried out by Uisce Éireann is in line with national and European legislation and international best practice.
Public participation was encouraged throughout the development of this project and three focused periods of public consultation formed part of a broader process of stakeholder engagement in the development of the Regional Biosolids Storage. Feedback provided both in and outside the focused periods of consultation was in the consultation report for each stage:
Stage 1
Uisce Éireann published the Stage 1 Report for the project which outlined the project study area and the methodology for identifying and assessing potentially suitable sites. A period of focused consultation sought feedback on this proposed approach to identifying and assessing potentially suitable sites for the project.
- Stage 1 Report – Site Selection Methodology
- Stage 1 Consultation Submissions Report – Published as Appendix A of Stage 2 Report
Stage 2
Uisce Éireann published the Stage 2 Report, which identified five potential sites and a feedback was invited as part of a non-statutory public consultation.
- Stage 2 Report – Identification of Potential Sites
- Stage 2 Consultation Report – Published as Appendix A of Stage 3 Report
Stage 3
Consultation on the preferred site location and views on what should be considered as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS)
- Stage 3 Report – Identification of Preferred Site
- Scoping Report for Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement
- Stage 3 Consultation Report
The Project Roadmap shows how these focused periods of consultation represented key stages in the decision-making process.