Louth councillor fears Blackrock at tipping point

Concerns that housing development in Blackrock has got “out of control” over the last number of years, with out the appropriate accompanying investment in vital services and infrastructure, including a lack of school places, and playing pitches for sports clubs, is bringing the seaside village to a tipping point, according to one Louth councillor.

Dundalk South Councillor Robert Nash has welcomed the recent decision by Louth County Council's planning department, not to grant an extension on a 2019 planning application for a proposed new development on the outskirts of Blackrock, which he said would have seen nearly 500 units built, on a site half the size of Cox's Demense.

“In the midst of a housing crisis, I’m only too well aware of the need for more houses and I am also conscious that the thousands of people trying to purchase a home might disagree with me”, Cllr Nash told the Dundalk Democrat, “but the reality is that Blackrock's infrastructure at present is not fit to cater for its present population, never mind 500 more housing units.”

The Fine Gael councillor said that, “there is a real concern among residents presently, that building in Blackrock has got out of control over the last number of years, without any investment in vital infrastructure such as roads, footpaths, sewerage and water services, not to mention the lack of early childcare places, school places and vital services such as GP care, dentists and other essential facilities.”

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Cllr Nash went on to say, that at present, the sewerage system in Blackrock is full to capacity, with Uisce Éireann (formerly known as Irish Water) recently confirming that it would be 2029/2030 before the completion of works to address this issue. Temporary solutions, such as sewerage storage tanks, which have been proposed for number of sites in Blackrock/ Haggardstown, are not the answer, said the Dundalk South councillor, who explained that 2.2 million litres of sewerage arrive daily at Blackrock wastewater treatment plant.

“In 2024, Uisce Eireann removed 6.693,000 litres of sludge from the Blackrock WWTP (wastewater treatment plant) to the treatment plant on the Point Road for processing. It is simply unacceptable in this day and age, for tankers to be drawing sewerage to a plant on the point road because the sewerage system in Blackrock is not fit for purpose.”

More concerning said Cllr Nash, was that he has recently seen sea water samples taken on Blackrock beach in close proximity to storm water outlets, which have shown raised levels of E coli and bacteria in the bathing water. This, Cllr Nash says, “is another sign that during heavy rain and floods the combined sewer/storm water system is under pressure and releasing untreated water into storm water outlets on to nearby beaches.

“For too long capital investment in our infrastructure has been neglected and all the while we allowed for more and more houses to be built. I have raised this issue recently with Deputy Paula Butterly and also plan to speak to Tánaiste Simon Harris in the next weeks regarding the need for serious investment in infrastructure in Blackrock and the surrounding areas.”

Cllr Nash went on to say that “unfortunately, sewerage capacity is only one of a number of issues that Blackrock village is experiencing at present states. I suppose you could say that Blackrock has become a victim of its own success he comments. It's ever growing population, albeit a benefit to the growing number of businesses in the area, has also proved to be a stumbling block for other reasons.”

In recent weeks, lack of parking on the Main Street has been the topic of conversation but the Dundalk South councillor goes on to say that he believes other issues must take priority. “When I think of Blackrock, I think of no footpath on the Rock Road, I think of no speed ramps on the old golf links road, I think of lack of school crossings for children, I think of lack of school places and lack of playing pitches for sports clubs.

“Other councillors and I recently met with Chairman of Rock Celtic, Donal Lynch, and committee members who have exhausted all avenues in the search for much needed additional playing spaces to cater for their ever-increasing numbers in the club. Rock Celtics membership currently stands at nearly 800 , with 90 coaches , catering for in excess of 25 teams from U8 up to Seniors. The weekly struggle for pitch time for every team is a logistical nightmare.”

Cllr Nash went on to say that the lack of green space in the village is “not surprising, considering the amount of houses built in the last 20 years. “For now, Rock Celtic's search continues but as a councillor, I will do my best to support them and hopefully find a solution soon.

“As a councillor and with the support of other councillors, I believe that there are a lot of issues that we have the power to address but also other issues which are way above our capabilities, and that will need assistance and funding from central government. It's also about learning from mistakes and not allowing what has happened in Blackrock, happen in other parts of our town.”

Unfortunately added Cllr Nash, “the daily calls about early childcare places, school places, doctors and lack of footpaths in Blackrock will continue for now”, but he hopes with the help of new Louth County Councill CEO David Conway, and fellow councillors, the issues he speaks about can be addressed over the next number of years.