Call for more restrictions on extractive industry

The Ballyshannon Action Group wants increased restrictions and monitoring of the sand and gravel extractive industry in Kildare, writes Brian Byrne.

The group, fighting plans by the Kilsaran company to impose a quarry on agricultural land in the middle of their community, have made this call in a submission to Kildare's upcoming County Development Plan 2023-2029.

The group has highlighted what it calls 'protections' for the extractive industry in the draft plan and in previous plans, which they say have turned Kildare into a 'quarry super-hub'.

They say these provisions are inconsistent with more progressive policies in other parts of the draft plan, and they want them removed.

The BAG have asked that the protection of communities, sustainable and rural development, and biodiversity, be prioritised over businesses in the extractive industry that 'scar the county and create very little employment'.

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