Wastewater treatment upgrades at Culmore Waste Water Treatment Works Coney Road, Culmore

“Description of Proposed Development Full planning application to upgrade the existing Culmore Wastewater Treatment Works, in order to increase capacity at the treatment works. Proposal includes 2 No. final settlement tanks, associated civil, mechanical and electrical infrastructure, temporary stock piling and construction compound on adjacent land, and landscaping works.”

“Appendix 1 The proposed development site is 1.295 hectares and is located just outside the defined settlement limits of Culmore. The application site is adjacent to the existing Culmore Waste Water Treatment Works and consists of grassland, hardstanding, hedgerows, mature trees, and scrub vegetation.”

“Site Constraints The application site is located within the Greenbelt…”

“Relevant Site History Application Number: A/1975/0070 Decision: Crown Devt Decision Date: September 1979 Proposal: Proposed Administration Building and Sewage Treatment Plant Application Number: A/2001/0843/CD Decision: Permission Granted Decision Date: Dec 2002 Proposal: Extension to existing Sewage Treatment Works at Culmore Wastewater Treatment Plant.”

“The greenway is a mix of shared use (carriageway/greenway) and new greenway path construction. Amendments to existing road kerb alignments, new road markings and signage, drainage, and soft…”

“In respect of operational noise from the settlement tanks, EHS consider that the NIA has provided sufficient information to demonstrate any potential effects on residential amenity will not be detrimental, subject to condition. EHS note that noise levels during construction will exceed recommended guidance levels by 2dB at a property in Coneyville. Mitigation provided in oCEMP will assist with minimising such effects.”

“The GQRA did identify elevated concentrations of heavy metals, cyanide, and ammoniacal nitrogen in shallow groundwater, however no significant source of contamination was identified within the proposed development site boundary and therefore the elevated concentrations in groundwater were considered to be from an off-site source and/or elevated background levels and therefore site-specific remedial measures were not considered necessary.”

“Consultation and Representations Consultee Responses NI Water – This is a NI Water project and as such no comment is applicable. Historic Environment Division– Historic Environment Division (Historic Monuments) has assessed the application and on the basis of the information provided is content that the proposal is satisfactory to SPPS and PPS 6 archaeological policy requirements.”

“However, it is noted that the existing access to the site is adequate and that the proposal will not lead to an increase in the number of staff or vehicles attracted to the site once the proposed development has been constructed. As such, DfI Roads has no objection to the proposal, subject to informatives. DFI Rivers – FLD 3 - DfI Rivers assessed a submitted drainage assessment and has no reason to disagree with its conclusions. NIE – NIE Networks has no objection.”

“Representations 24 objections were received in relation to this application. The issues raised in these objections are summarised as follows; • Summer 2023 odour issues lasting two weeks (particularly month of June) • Odour results in inability to open windows or hang washing out/ Impact on outdoor usage • Not all residents of Coneyville notified/ lack of communication • Proposed tanks very close to houses • Long-term health impacts of smell/ Health and Safety Risks, risk of…”

“Appendix 1 • No consideration on the impact to local residents • Lack of alternative sites considered • Disregard for Councils commitment to placing the customer at the heart of all operations • Noise, Odour, hazardous gases. • Multiple complaints made which remain unresolved The concerns raised are considered below in Section 10 of this report.”

“LA11/2023/2104/F - Proposed upgrades to increase capacity at existing Culmore Wastewater Treatment Works, including 2 No. final settlement tanks, associated civil, mechanical and electrical infrastructure, temporary stock piling and construction compound on adjacent land, and landscaping works at Culmore Wastewater Treatment Works Coney Road, Culmore, BT48 8JP The Principal Planning Officer presented the above application, details of which were previously circulated to…”