A landmark drainage project has been approved in north Dublin, which will safeguard the environment and facilitate sustainable growth of new homes and businesses in the region.

An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for the Greater Dublin Drainage (GDD) Project. It includes a host of developments to help the area's wastewater infrastructure cope with projected growth in population and increased commercial activity.

Seán Laffey, Head of Asset Management, said: "Today's announcement is a landmark planning decision for the sustainable growth of the Dublin area. The GDD project is vital for residential and commercial development across north Dublin and south Fingal. New homes and businesses can only be built with new wastewater infrastructure to support them. GDD will also alleviate pressure within the wider wastewater network. It will help to ensure that the wastewater generated every day in our homes, schools and workplaces is treated safely, in compliance with the EU and national wastewater treatment regulations."

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An underground pipeline beginning at Blanchardstown will collect and transfer wastewater, via a new pumping station at Abbotstown, north of the M50 to an advanced wastewater treatment facility to be located in the townland of Clonshaugh. The treated water will be safely returned to the Irish Sea via a 6km marine outfall pipeline from Baldoyle to a point 1km north east of Ireland's Eye.

The project also includes development of necessary facilities that will ensure the effective running of the new wastewater treatment plant. These will include a regional sludge treatment centre at the GDD site and an associated biosolids storage facility at Newtown near Kilshane Cross.

The delivery of the GDD project is a key investment priority under Project Ireland 2040 and is a key objective of the regional guidelines and local development plans.

Irish Water will now progress with a detailed design and contractor procurement process. When this is complete, the construction stage is expected to take three years.

(CM/JG)