Fireworks factory waste found during major Dublin redevelopment

Hazardous waste discovered at St Teresa’s Gardens in Dolphin’s Barn, Dublin, has been linked to a former fireworks factory on the site.

Dublin City Council said the discovery of the waste will add to the cost of the regeneration of the dilapidated 1950s complex, which was due to be rebuilt with almost 500 new homes.

The complex of 346 flats was to be razed and rebuilt as part of a public-private partnership project, but the plans were scrapped seven years ago following the collapse of the property market.

A preliminary soil contamination survey in 2007 had identified several former industrial activities on the site, including the fireworks factory.

Sewerage problems

However, more in-depth investigations were not undertaken and the estate continued to deteriorate, with persistent sewerage and damp problems. In 2014 the council published plans for its redevelopment.

Demolition of the complex, next to the Coombe maternity hospital, started early last year and has recently been completed. Tenders to construct the first 50 homes, to be used for social housing, were expected to be issued by the end of this year.

However, a more comprehensive soil testing was undertaken in June and recent results detected a “concentration of hazardous waste appearing in the test areas of the former fireworks site”, the council said.

The council is to seek contractors who can deal with the waste. The regeneration board will discuss the issue on Tuesday.

No risk to health

Board member and Sinn Féin councillor Críona Ní Dhálaigh, said she had been assured there was no risk to the health of residents, some of whom were living in recently refurbished flats on the site.

“I am worried that the time line for the first 50 houses, which has been painfully slow already, will be pushed back even further.”

The council’s plans published in 2014 involved the refurbishment and enlargement of 56 flats, which has been completed, the demolition of the remaining flats, and the construction of 50 new homes at a total cost of €20 million. However following the recent publication of the Government’s Action Plan for Housing the council determined that St Teresa’s Gardens has the potential for up to 500 public and private homes.

Councillors recently rezoned some of this land for a park despite warnings from the department of housing and council chief executive Owen Keegan that the zoning would undermine the regeneration of the estate.