Ballyshannon 'will protect itself'
With the wind in their back after the definitive rejection by Kildare County Council of the Kilsaran Concrete application for a quarry at Racefield, upwards of a hundred people turned out tonight to discuss the next phase — beating the appeal to An Bord Pleanala by Kilsaran.
They firmed up their committee structure to better deal with what the meeting chair, Deputy Martin Heydon, described as the 'new phase' of the fight.
"We can't be complacent," he said. "We need to remain just as united and resolute."
The meeting heard from chartered planning consultant Peter Thompson, who said it was very important that everybody concerned should make observations to the Planning Board.
"You are individuals trying to protect your own property, and a hundred letters from individuals will count much more than a petition with a hundred signatures."
He also urged families, schools, and business interests to make their observations, particularly the local equine industry.
In the course of the evening, it was emphasised that the closing date for observations is 29 January, and that submissions must be with the Planning Board by that date.
The new committee is led by chairman Jim Burke and vice chair Jim Delaney. Jim Crawford is head of fundraising, Mick Sayer and Damian joint secretaries, and Anna Sage is treasurer. A communications committee has also been established, comprising Caroline Dillon, Joanna Costello, Peter and Geraldine O'Connor.
In addition to Martin Heydon there were a number of other local representatives present, including Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin, Cllrs Suzanne Doyle, Mark Wall, Ivan Keatley, Aoife Breslin, Peggy O'Dwyer, and Anne Connolly.
Deputy Heydon made the point that it was the level of cross party support for the original campaign that showed the strength of feeling to Kildare County Council over the initial application.
(More detail from the meeting tomorrow.)
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