Call for Kilsaran to state overall quarrying plans

Pictured with Deputy Martin Heydon (on right) are members of the Ballyshannon Action Group, James Delaney, Mick Sayer, Peter O'Connor, Jim Crawford, Joanna Costello, chartered planning consultant Peter Thompson who addressed the meeting, Caroline Dillion, and committee chairman Jim Burke.

A challenge to Kilsaran Concrete to ‘come clean’ on their overall plans for quarrying in the south Kildare area was made at the recent public meeting organised by the Ballyshannon Action Group, writes Brian Byrne.

Those present were reminded that the company had acquired a considerable land bank in the wider area.

“It’s not just about Racefield,” Deputy Martin Heydon, who chaired the meeting, said. “Kilsaran need to be very open about just how much quarrying they are planning in the area.”

While acknowledging that some of the properties which the company had acquired could be used in ‘land swap’ arrangements with local farmers, he also warned that it represented future quarrying.

On that, the outright refusal by Kildare County Council for the Racefield proposal had been encouraging. “I’d be far less confident of our ability to defeat a second application for a quarry if the first one had been granted.”

He also warned of the risk of ‘triangulation’ of operations between Silliot Hill, Ballyshannon, and Halverstown, with trucks travelling on roads not suitable for the traffic. "This would have very serious effects in a number of places around here."


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