'No extra trucks in Kilcullen' from Ballyshannon Kilsaran plan
Responding to reports from the recent Ballyshannon Action Group meeting, and related radio interviews, Kilsaran Operations Director Derry McKeown (above) says all trucks coming from Ballyshannon will be turning onto the M9 at Kilcullen and transporting their loads to other Kilsaran facilities in Dublin and Leinster.
He told the Diary today that suggestions of the Ballyshannon material being used at a planned tile factory on their Brownstown/Silliot Hill site are incorrect. He added that projections for use of the reserves at Brownstown are based on the fact that there is adequate material to provide for the lifetime of production there, including the tile factory.
This is in line with information provided to Kilcullen Community Action during successful planning applications for extensions to the Brownstown facility in the last few years.
Asked about concerns that there has been an anecdotal increase in Kilsaran traffic through Kilcullen over recent times, he said this is likely a reflection of the current economy, with increased demand for sand and gravel products. "We were also supplying material for the recent upgrade to the M7. Our traffic will always show ups and downs depending on economic activity."
Some of the issues raised at last week's Ballyshannon meeting are directly rebutted by the company. Claims that the proposed quarry at Racefield would result in the production of silica, a carcinogen, are 'just not true' according to Fergus Gallagher, Planning and Environmental Manager at Kilsaran. "Silica is produced when processing material containing quartz, but at Ballyshannon the deposit is limestone, calcium carbonate, which does not result in silica."
He said that after working for some 22 years in this field, he was well aware that communities initially were opposed to developments such as the Ballyshannon proposal. "But they generally find that it's not as bad as they expect, and we have a good record of working with the community on any issues."
Derry McKeown referred to the Environmental Impact Study produced as part of the planning application by consultants RPS, in particular the 'mitigation' processes to be used to minimise any disruptions which might be caused by the development.
He noted as example guarantees that truck traffic would be deferred during specific times such as school commuting periods. In addition, the application proposes road widening and the provision of passing areas for vehicles. He also said that all hauliers working from the site would be contracted to Kilsaran and the company's rules on routes.
He said it was the company's practice to engage fully with communities where they operate, but that they did not attend meetings such as the recent Ballyshannon one, because experience showed it wasn't productive to do so.
"It is always too easy to 'ambush' us at such events," Fergus Gallagher noted, adding that in any case no invitation had been extended to Kilsaran to attend. "Besides, we have to go by the legal route of the planning process."
The company also takes issue with claims that it was 'selective' in distributing a 'brochure' in advance of making the planning application. "We carefully worked out every premises in the area which would be affected by the development, and made every effort to meet with the occupiers," Derry McKeown says. "In some cases there was nobody at home, in others we wrote to them but got no reply. But in effect we were engaging in a public consultation before what is required under the planning process."
He also specifically rejected the suggestion that the Ballyshannon application, for ten years plus two years of remediation, would be reviewed at the end of the period for further extension. "The application is based on the reserves we have calculated to be on the site at Racefield, which is a very discrete deposit." He added that comments that the company has identified a 'seam' of material which could have it in the area for 'generations' were unfounded.
"We do invest in properties where there are deposits, for future use," he said in response to a query about other farmland locations which the company has bought in recent years. Kilsaran bought the Racefield property ten years ago.
Fergus Gallagher said that there is currently a strong demand for building materials to meet the needs of home building programmes. "It's a challenge for us to meet those needs," he said.
On a comment made by Deputy Martin Heydon that Kildare is being asked to provide too much sand and gravel for construction that isn't taking place in the county, Derry McKeown noted that the company has operations in many other locations, including Meath, Offaly and Tipperary.
A public meeting in Kilcullen tomorrow night, Tuesday 22 October, in Scoil Bhride, will discuss the Ballyshannon application. It will be attended by representatives of the Ballyshannon Action Group.
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