Kilsaran refused extension to Ballysax Hills quarry

Dun Ailinne.

Kildare County Council has refused an application by Kilsaran Concrete to extend its sand and gravel extraction facility at Ballysax Hills, writes Brian Byrne.

The primary reason for the refusal was related to the quarry's proximity to Dun Ailinne, described as a site of 'significant archaeological interest'. The importance and setting of the hillfort would be negatively impacted by the project to a significant degree.

The refusal noted that any extension would 'seriously injure the visual amenity of the area' and would 'disrupt the visual integrity of the historical setting' of Dun Ailinne, which is included on a Tentative List submitted to UNESCO for nomination to the World Heritage List.

The extension would also have resulted in the removal of a ridgeline of the kind identified in the Kildare County Development Plan 2017-2023 as conspicuous features performing an important role as dominant landscape points.

The application had sought an extension to the existing permitted working area at the site, bringing the total area to 39.5 hectares.

The refusal has been welcomed by the Ballyshannon Action Group campaigning against the Kilsaran project recently granted permission by An Bord Pleanala, at Racefield. "Racefield is visible from Dun Ailline too," a spokesperson said.

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