Edenderry ‘locked down until 2029’

“Edenderry is basically locked down until 2029,” Deputy John Clendennen told an Oireachtas Committee recently, citing water supply and wastewater treatment restraints.

He made his comments whilst calling for action to tackle local development bottlenecks.

The Fine Gael deputy has called on Uisce Éireann to publish a clear and time-bound plan to address capacity constraints in 547 towns and villages across Ireland, including Edenderry, that are currently unable to accommodate new housing or development due to inadequate water and wastewater infrastructure.

Speaking following a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Infrastructure and the National Development Plan Delivery, Deputy Clendennen highlighted the urgent need for decisive action.

“We are facing a national housing emergency. Yet, 547 towns and villages across this country have no clear plan in place from Uisce Éireann to increase water or wastewater capacity. This is creating a bottleneck in housing delivery and stalling community growth particularly in areas like Edenderry, which has strong potential and is poised for significant government investment.”

Speaking to the Offaly Independent he said it was vital that Edenderry, which is earmarked for a primary care centre, swimming pool, library and arts centre, and a new school, is in a position to seize the opportunity to develop on foot of such investment.

He said the blockages to development in the town relating to water supply and wastewater treatment had been raised repeatedly by his party colleague, Cllr Noel Cribbin.

Clendennen acknowledged the substantial progress Uisce Éireann has made in reducing water leakage and upgrading systems in recent years but warned that current timelines are too slow and disconnected from the housing demand on the ground.

“We cannot wait years to resolve known issues. We need a roadmap by July...” he said.