Nenagh's lack of sewage treatment capacity an obstacle to building houses at Stereame
Lack of capacity in Nenagh’s wastewater treatment plant is one of the issues blocking the development of houses on a site owned by Tipperary County Council in the townland of Stereame, Cllr Séamie Morris has been informed by council management.
The site consists of 10.3 hectares just off the Limerick Road and is zoned for residential development.
A masterplan is in place and the site is in the full ownership of the council, Director of Services, Liam Brett, informed Cllr Morris.
The overall area is serviced by gas, electricity, fibre telecom, public water and sewerage and surface water disposal.
The council had plans to develop high quality housing on the site. However, it has failed to secure a tender to enter an agreement to carry out phased residential development and be responsible for the marketing and selling of any houses built.
“While a number of tenderers expressed interest as part of the procurement processes, ultimately none of these attempts were successful,” said Mr Brett.
He informed Cllr Morris that a preferred bidder was identified. “However, this company pulled out of the process in 2024 due to other commitments.
“Following this, there has been further discussion internally about the most appropriate way forward and the options that might be available on a phased basis,” said Mr Brett in a reply to a question by Cllr Morris.
CHALLENGE
He said another challenge with developing these lands that had come to the fore in recent times was the lack of wastewater treatment capacity in Nenagh.
“Tipperary County Council are trying to resolve same in advance of Uisce Éireann expanding the main waste water treatment plant [in the town] and have opened discussions with Uisce Éireann regarding the provision of a temporary plant on site, though no conclusion has been reached at this time,” said Mr Brett.
He informed Cllr Morris that the council has established a review team to agree the most appropriate way forward in regard to the site.
But Mr Brett added: “Before any meaningful engagement can occur with other stakeholders, the wastewater treatment plant capacity issue needs to be resolved.”