River Vartry Protection Society

An Bord Pleanála Refuses Permission to Devil’s Glen Equstrian Centre

An Bord Pleanála confirms the Wicklow Council’s decision to refuse permission on an appeal by the Devil’s Glen Equestrian Centre regarding the gallops. The two reasons were regarding changing the existing entrance and damaging wall, trees and hedgerows, and that the area being prone to flooding and “the site cannot be drained satisfactorily, notwithstanding the proposed use of a proprietary wastewater treatment system. The proposed development would, therefore, be prejudicial to public health.” This is a good decision and will protect the river from certain pollution, but does not address the fact that the work for the gallops has been done without permission and has caused increased soil runoff into the river. Since the gallops was completed against an order of the Wicklow County Council to cease, we suspect that this will not be the end of this story.

Wicklow County Council Directed to Prepare an EIS by An Bord Pleanála

Pat yourselves on the back! We have achieved the result we wanted from the hard work of everyone. An Taisce, Friends of the Murrough and Ourselves asked An Bord Pleanála to intercede in the matter and last Friday we received notification of their decision.
DECISION
Direct the local authority to prepare an environmental impact statement in respect of the said proposed development based on the reason and considerations below.

REASONS AND CONSIDERATIONS
Having regard to the sensitive nature of the River Vartry (a designated salmonid river) which discharges to the sea a short distance downstream at the Murrough Wetlands (a costal area designated both as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA), to the likely interaction between the proposed groundwater abstraction and the flow in the river and the possible negative impacts on the ecology of the river system, particularly at low flow, it is considered that the proposed development should be subjected to environmental impact assessment.
In deciding not to accept the Inspector’s recommendation that an environmental impact statement was not required, the Board noted his comments to the effect that the impacts on the River Vartry fisheries were likely and impacts on the SAC and SPA were possible. The Board considered that an environmental impace assessment was appropriate having regard to the sensitivity of the river and estuarine eco-systems.

This does not mean that it is over with the threat from the Water Scheme, only that the WCC must do this in the public eye. We will be pressing them for Local involvement and assistance in preparation of the EIS and that disclosures are made of all documents that might shed light on how much effect to the River they anticipated. (Currently we have requests for documents that have been refused by the WCC that are about to be released by the Commissioner of Information).

Reply From Pat Kavanagh

Thank you for your support. It is a shame alright. However, it’s far more important that groups of dedicated people continue to work together in a cohesive manner to ensure that our environment and natural resources are protected. In the words of Margaret Mead “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Wicklow County Council Election Results

We are sorry to report that both Caroline Burrell and Pat Kavanagh did not make it into the Wicklow County Council this time. This is obviously due to the protest against the government and it is a great shame that these two excellent candidates have suffered from this. We will have to hope that they will persevere and they will put themselves forward again the next time.

Don’t Forget To Vote

We need supporters on the Wicklow County Council with a concern over the river. Cllr Caroline Burrell (Green Party) will contest a seat in Greystones for Wicklow County Council for the first time. She was actually the third member of the River Vartry Protection Society. She is positive, active, honest, and continually offers her help. Tireless. Patricia Kavanagh (Green Party) is a native of Wicklow Town and is running for Wicklow Town and County Council. Again Pat is so active and energetic which her work with the ‘Friends of the Murrough’ that she will be a force of good on the council for us. Please don’t forget to vote, it may be the most important thing you can do to help.

ERBD River Basin Management Plan Meeting 14th of May

This is an important issue to protecting the future of the River and everyone should go and support this.
Hello All,
We would love to see you all at the Public Information Day for the ERBD River Basin Management Plan this Thursday Afternoon.

* Drop in and find out about Water Quality in your area.
* We will have a stand in the Foyer with Posters, leaflets and PC access to Water Quality maps.
* Project staff will be on hand to help answer any queries you may have, specific or otherwise.
* It is vitally important that we get as many comments on the plans as possible.
* We need input from local people, be it questions, information or criticism.
* This is the only way the plan can be representative and comprehensive.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Venue: County Buildings, Wicklow Town
When: Thursday 14th May 2:00pm – 8:00pm

Ryan Nun’s Cross Planning Application

There is a new planning application 09500 placed with the Wicklow County Council. This contains a plan to discharge all of the Surface Water from the 71 dwellings into the River Vartry via a pipe that will run down the road and drill down into the Bridge 3 meters. The pipe will then run inside the oldest part of the Protected Nun’s Cross Bridge structure (pre 1730) and out through its oldest arch. The water will contain pollutants from the paving and roof runoff which will be deposited in the river just above its most sensitive Salmon Beds. We have objected as a group but would like everyone to view the objection themselves. “See Objection” As well you are encouraged to make your own submission for a cost of 20 euro at the Wicklow County Council.

Comments on Polution

We have had several comments that were posted and are re-posted here for viewing.

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I’m amazed that you know and Wicklow Co. Co. know where the sewage that is being dumped in the river is coming from and yet nothing is happening to stop it.  Is there no law being broken ?

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admin answer:

It has gone on much too long and really should be stopped immediately. There are some long range plans to fix the situation but an immediate action should be taken rather than waiting. There is an EU ELD (Environment Liability Directive) see important links and the full document is there. I have not have time to study all of the documentation fully. It would be nice if someone else could “bone up” on this for future reference and be our ELD expert. It looks as if it might be powerful legislation with teeth, should or when or if it has been placed into Irish Legislation.

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i passed over the river at 6.30pm today and there was serious grey pollution coming down the river from somewhere above ashford.I informed the authorities but when the perpetrators only get fined 500 euros it just seems pointless after all who gives a #### about a few fish eh

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admin answer:

I assume that is was Ashford Bridge. We were by the river early and did not see anything, but it is spillage from Devil’s Glen and can be very direct. I will ask Kieran if they got smell yesterday as often happens. We need to really put our attention to this, once the Water Scheme business is quiet.. after Tommorrow.

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River Vartry Water Management Directive

According to EU Directives, the Easter Region Basin District is responsible to make a plan for the River Vartry and the Basin. The draft form of this plan is available on the website and is Draft River Basin Management Plan. This was published in December 2008 and should be open for comments from the public until July (The exact date will be supplied as soon as I confirm with the ERBD).
It is important that we now focus on this and try and read the document and give any suggestions and corrections necessary. This is an important document and MUST be carefully checked since it will define what can be done to the river in the future.  Any comments to this post will be appreciated.  I am aware that the Fisheries Board have been and will be working with the ERBD to see that their interests are covered, but all of us who are around the River Vartry should be involved. The Fisheries have already commented that the Vartry must be divided into the Reservoirs which are heavily modified and the River itself which is Natural. The document is a good solid foundation for the future but participation can only improve it.

Wicklow County Council Withdraws Plan8 for the Moment

Good news from the Wicklow County Council that they have decided to withdraw the application for the Plan8 temporarily, while they wait for information to assess whether an EIA will be necessary.  There are several open issues still to be resolved, which are:

1- Have the CPOs been removed from An Bord Pleanala? It would be a great waste of money and resources if they have not been stopped or suspended.

2- The Wicklow Co. Co. has commissioned McCarthy Hyder to do a simple study.  McCarthy Hyder had originally advised the WCC that an environmental study was not necessary. It is our opinion that this advice was not in the best interest of the River and that the eventual author of the EIA will be someone that exhibits a bi-partisan concern over the river and that the process is monitored by An Bord Pleanála, the Fisheries and the EPA.

3- There were over 60 objections all asking for an EIA. It is certainally clear that there is sufficient public concern to make one manditory under EU and Irish Law.

Can everyone that objected and has received an acknowledgement from the Wicklow Co. Co. to please write back to them, thanking them for re-thinking and pointing out to them the points above?