Plan to increase capacity at wastewater treatment plant could clear the way for hundreds of new West Cork homes

A fresh plan to increase capacity at Dunmanway’s wastewater treatment plant could clear the way for hundreds of new homes, councillors have been told.

Fianna Fáil councillor Deirdre Kelly said that, along with Independent Ireland councillor Daniel Sexton, she had received an update from Uisce Éireann recently, indicating that the utility was considering alterations to the existing wastewater infrastructure or installing a new tank.

Ms Kelly told Cork County Council’s Western Divisional Committee that environmental screening and assessment work would take place between now and September.

She said the proposed work could eventually allow around 300 homes to be built in Dunmanway.

“I think this is massive,” she said. “I think it’s brilliant.”

Ms Kelly said that both herself and Mr Sexton had worked to amend the wording of the county development plan to help make further development possible in the town. 

She said the wording had to align with the requirements of both Uisce Éireann and the council’s planning department.

The update follows months of uncertainty over how many homes could be accommodated following interim upgrades to the town’s wastewater treatment plant.

Councillors were previously told the interim work would provide capacity for 50 homes.

That figure was later reduced to just 15, prompting an angry response at a meeting of the West Cork Municipal District. 

At that meeting, Ms Kelly said the “goalposts are constantly moving”, while Mr Sexton described provision for only 15 homes as “a disaster”.

Members were told at the time that only one house had been built in Dunmanway since 2023.

Mr Sexton, who is the newly-elected chair of the Western Divisional Committee, described the latest update as “fantastic news” for the town.

He said families would be able to remain in Dunmanway rather than moving to places such as Clonakilty, Bandon or Skibbereen because they could not find a home locally.

Mr Sexton said increased housing capacity would also allow local businesses to grow and give the town a chance to flourish. He praised Ms Kelly and others who had pushed for action on the wastewater problem, describing the development as “a job well done”.

The final number of homes that could be accommodated will depend on the option pursued by Uisce Éireann and the outcome of the environmental assessment.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.