Statutory consultation on Greater Dublin Drainage Project

The Greater Dublin Drainage project (the GDD Project) is a project to develop a new regional wastewater treatment facility and associated infrastructure to serve north Dublin and parts of the surrounding counties of Kildare and Meath.

As our population and economy grows, so too does the volume of wastewater. The amount of wastewater generated in greater Dublin is projected to increase by over 50% in the period to 2050. We must collect and treat this wastewater so that it can be safely returned to the environment.

The GDD Project represents the next major strategic step in the development of our wastewater infrastructure for Dublin and the surrounding counties. Once operational, the GDD Project will have the capacity to provide wastewater treatment for the equivalent of half a million people living and working in this area and will protect public health, safeguard our environment and facilitate growth to 2050.

In November 2019, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission and confirmed the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the GDD project. The planning application for the GDD Project was remitted to the Board for reconsideration following an Order of the High Court on 16 July 2021 (the Remittal Application).

At An Bord Pleanála's direction, Uisce Éireann submitted further information to the Board in October 2023 in relation to the Remittal Application. The Further Information addresses changes that have occurred in the environmental, policy and legislative context since the original planning application for the GDD Project was made in 2018.

An Bord Pleanála is now inviting submissions on the Further Information and is running a statutory consultation from Tuesday May 7 to Friday June 7 inclusive. The planning application and Further Information, along with other material on the GDD Project, can be viewed and downloaded on the GDD Project website: www.gddapplication.ie.  

Following closure of the consultation period, An Bord Pleanála will consider the Further Information submitted, as well as any observations or submissions received, to make a decision on the Remittal Application.

When planning permission for the GDD Project is secured, Uisce Éireann will progress with the contractor procurement process for the construction of the project. It is currently expected that the construction stage will take approximately three years.