HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS of north Dublin have held a protest over plans to build a ‘monster’ sewage plant in the area.

The demonstration outside Fingal County Council headquarters in Swords was held as councillors planned to vote on plans for the giant sewage treatment plant.

Residents say that a plant of its size will have a detrimental effect on farming, fishing and horticulture in the region.

A spokesperson for the newly formed Reclaim Fingal Alliance said that “too much is at stake” and that the plant is relying on “outdated technology”.

“We urge all our councillors to look afresh at these proposals, to change the way we do things and to look at alternative proposals that will provide a sustainable solution for this issue into the future,” said Brian Hosford, chairman of the group.

However Greater Dublin Drainage have said that one large regional plant makes more sense from both an environmental and a practical point of view.

Around 10,000 letters of objection have already been lodged against the proposed plant.

The Council has earmarked nine possible sites across the area for the 20 acre sewage plant.

The plant is due to have the capacity to treat wastewater from approximately 350,000 people.