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The Planning Department
Norton House
Cork Road
Skibbereen
County Cork
To whom it may concern:
We, the undersigned, would like to make a submission in relation to the proposed development at Island Strand Intake, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.
Firstly, we call your attention to the point that of the 42 positive submissions (three of them from one individual aggregated as one submission) only two support the development in its entirety, and the remainder support only the waste-water treatment plant and are silent on all other aspects.
While we welcome the provision of an imaginative design and much needed sports pitches, town park, pedestrian walkways and the attempt to retain some of the existing natural features to promote wildlife, plants and trees, we are concerned about the negative impact of the development and document our observations about the proposal below.
1) The Development Site Itself
In the scale model of the development on display, the relationship between the size of the vehicles and roads shown is rather suspect. The current road width and surface quality in the areas servicing the proposed development are barely adequate to meet present day motorised transport needs and completely ignore the needs of cyclists and pedestrians. The roads can not safely cope with the extra heavy traffic load that the proposed housing and sports facilities will generate, quite apart from the stress that the building development of the site itself will place on existing services.
a) It is imperative that upgraded roadways, pedestrian and cycle lanes be put in place before any development begins. (NB A submission by members of our group regarding pedestrian and cycle access to Inchydoney Beach, which runs past the proposed development, has been referred on, by both Clon. Town and County Councils, to an imminent traffic management study.)
b) The area is marshy and prone to flooding. We know that global warming is going to increase the incidence of severe weather events and eventually cause rising sea levels. We question the wisdom of siting housing and a waste-water treatment plant (and its potential associated risks to health) in a low lying area at threat from both sides from the sea.
c) What plans are in place to deal with the effects of future climate change in this area?
d) The developer must be required to commit to reducing pollution of the land and surrounding countryside by not allowing any burying of rubbish or fires on the site, nor escape of wind blown building refuse.
2) The Proposed 35 Residential Units
a) We acknowledge that a waste water treatment facility is desperately needed by Clonakilty. However, it seems undesirable to locate a luxury housing development in such close proximity to such an amenity.
b) There is no provision for shopping or schooling locally so that means an estimated 70 extra cars will be travelling the roads to meet their daily needs. The housing would be better located closer to these amenities so that the use of cars is a choice rather than necessity.
c) While the passive solar heating aspect of the houses is to be commended, this is unlikely to be totally adequate for Clonakilty winters. The houses are in a good arrangement for a combined group heating scheme and/or solar panels and these be considered.
d) The use of concrete be limited. Environmentally friendly cement alternatives and sustainable wooden construction materials be used as much as possible. (The cement industry is responsible for 5 million tonnes of CO2 per year in Ireland.)
e) Hard, impermeable surface areas around the houses be limited in order to avoid excessive water run-off and encourage biodiversity.
f) Street lighting be minimised, be low wattage sodium and targeted downwards to avoid electricity wastage, light pollution and disruption to wildlife.
g) Cycle lanes within the development would be desirable too.
3) The Waste Water Treatment Plant
See 1 b) above.
This facility is desperately needed. However, were alternative locations explored for the installation of a more sustainable reed bed system?
4) Wildlife and Plant Protection
Excessive noise, light, and water and natural-environment contamination will adversely affect the wildlife seen on the marsh. It must be left totally undisturbed during the construction process.
This could possibly be achieved by:
a) Banning construction vehicles from the causeway between Muckrus Strand and the Island Strand Intake and roads adjoining Clogheen Marsh
b) Ensuring lighting is not used to prolong the natural daylight hours
c) Preventing any harmful run-off from the construction project from entering any tidal water.
5) Appropriate Tree Planting and its On-going Care and Maintenance
It is noted that extensive planting of the site is to be carried out. Too often developers plant trees that are not suitable for the unique climate and conditions of the site, choose trees of an unsuitable size for residential development and make no commitment to on-going provision of staking, water and shelter to get them established.
i) Native trees, especially broadleaves, be introduced to the site to benefit wildlife and be appropriate for the location.
ii) A two year follow–up period be required for the developer to ensure continued viability of the trees planted.
6) The Football Pitches
Sports pitches are amongst the biggest offenders for light pollution. If the desire to protect local wildlife is genuine, care and attention must be paid to ensure that minimum light pollution and wastage of electricity results.
This could be achieved by:
i) Choosing low wattage lights that are targeted downwards
ii) Leaving pitch lights on for the bare minimum necessary - perhaps governed by timer switches
iii) Actively shielding the wildlife zone from overspill of light.
Yours faithfully
Alison Wickham
Secretary, Sustainable Clonakilty
T: +353 23 35241
E: sustainableclon@gmail.com
Jennifer Sleeman
Chairperson, Sustainable Clonakilty
T: +353 23 34637
E: jsleeman@eircom.net
We, the undersigned, agree to the Sustainable Clonakilty Submission on the proposed development of the Island Strand Intake
Signature Name Address
