'Shock and disappointment' at Planning Board's decision on Ballyshannon quarry
The Ballyshannon Action Group says it is 'shocked and disappointed' at the decision by An Bord Pleanala to approve Kilsaran Concrete's plans to open a quarry at Racefield, writes Brian Byrne.
"Their decision not only disregards the concerns of residents and businesses in and around Ballyshannon, " a spokesperson said, "it also ignores the professional opinions of both Kildare County Council and An Bord Pleanala’s own inspector, who recommended it was not allowed to go ahead.”
Senator Mark Wall says he finds it hard to believe the decision given the detailed rejection by Kildare County Council of the original application. "I have spoken to a number of residents living in the area today who naturally are in shock and very angry with the decision. I will continue to work with the Community in every way possible and make myself available to help them in every way I can.”
Cllr Chris Pender said the decision is 'devastating' and 'an absolute travesty'.
More than 200 objections had been made to the planning application, which was refused by Kildare County Council.
Eighteen months after Kilsaran had appealed the KCC decision, ABP has ruled that the quarry project would not seriously damage visual or residential amenities in the area. This is despite the Board's own inspector recommending a refusal of the appeal.
The decision was originally due on 6 May last, but was delayed. A letter to those involved last August said that the Inspector's Report on the appeal was 'at Board level', but a continuing delay was 'due to the necessity to further consider the case'.
Objections had been made to the plan by local residents, politicians, and the equine industry, as well as by archaeologists working on the Dun Ailinne royal site near Kilcullen. Submissions against the plan were also made by Kilcullen Community Action and the Old Kilcullen Area Community Association. Objections were mainly around dust, noise, human and animal health issues, and road safety.
The project proposes the extraction of three million tonnes of sand and gravel through the life of the quarry.
The Ballyshannon Action Group launched a funding campaign to pay for an outstanding €12,830 in costs incurred in their bid to stop the quarry.
