COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF TERENURE/RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE 2

Tuesday 8th May 2007

MOTION No. 3

MOTION: Councillor T. McDermott

"That the Manager give a report on plans and / or results of recent environmental monitoring of the builders yard in Muckross".

REPORT:

Dust

The premises in question have been visited on a number of occasions by the Environmental Health Officer.  On all occasions the proprietor was found to be taking best practicable means to prevent the occurrence of an air pollution nuisance.  A sprinkler system is in place on the wall above the mounds of sand and is used on a regular basis.  In October 2006, the Topas computerised dust and air quality monitor was installed in the garden of a local resident whose home is adjacent to the premises.  This monitor remained in permanent monitoring mode for a week after which the results were analysed and evaluated.  The results confirmed that an air pollution nuisance did not exist during the monitoring period.

Noise

With regard to complaints concerning a noise nuisance emanating from the said premises, the hours of operation have been limited to 07.00am – 7.00pm Monday – Friday and 9.00am to 1.00pm Saturdays.  In October 2006 noise monitoring was also carried out at the same location.  The results of the monitoring carried out confirmed that a noise nuisance did not exist during the monitoring period. The Environmental Health Officer’s report states “Noise due to the normal operation of a business, expressed as Laeq over 1 hour at the façade of a noise sensitive location, shall not exceed the daytime background level by more than 10 dB (A).”  The noise emanating from the site exceeded the daytime background level by 2 dB (A).

The noise monitor was installed at the home of another resident adjacent to the premises concerned for 5 days recently.  The results downloaded were incomplete and the data received was inconclusive and therefore further monitoring is required. The results of this monitoring will be made available as soon as possible.