Residents to appeal quarry extension decision plan
Image 1 of 2
The proposal would see a huge increase in the volume of HGVs using Beamond Bridge, a listed structure dating back to the 1800s.Image 2 of 2
Aerial photo of the lands at Bellewstown where the active Mullagh quarry is visible in the background. The closed Hilltown quarry is in the foreground where the proposed new road would run through the ‘biggest field in Ireland’. Photo: Jon Pierson.News that Meath County Council has granted planning permission for an extension to the Kilsaran Quarry in Bellewstown, as well as the construction of a new road, has been greeted with shock by the local residents who have vowed to continue their fight against the development.
An appeal against the granting of planning permission has been lodged with an Bord Pleanala by the Bellewstown Environmental Protection Group.
Some 70 submissions were made by local residents and groups against the quarry extension with concerns raised over the impact of increased heavy goods traffic, as well as concerns about environment, heritage, health, biodiversity and the quality of life for local residents.
Kilsaran Concrete has been granted permission for the continued extraction of an existing rock quarry, which is currently permitted by An Bord Pleanala to a depth of 98m for a period of 25 years, at a rate of up to 450,000 tonnes per annum.
The development also includes the provision of a new private link road to serve the quarry and adjoining agricultural land of 1.7km in length linking the L56172 Mullagh Road with the L1615 in the northeast. This is to facilitate an increase in the number of HGV movements from 32 daily load movements permitted to an average 81 daily load movements. The plans also include the relocation of the existing access point on the Mullagh Road southwards, two new access points for the private link road and associated works.
Grace McCullen, local resident and active member of the Environmental Protection Group said: "The local community is shocked that conditional permission has been granted for this enormous quarry and road proposal. No consideration has been given by Meath County Council to the serious issues raised in the objections which relate to the damaging consequences for human health, the environment, road safety, heritage and historical structures, carbon emissions and the quality of a sustainable life for a rural community in East Meath.
"Existing regional quarry supplies will fulfil our needs for building homes and infrastructure and we certainly don't need to raid our protected landscape to export quarry supplies overseas. We have now sought professional planning and legal advice and submitted a robust appeal to An Bord Pleanala. We trust that the integrity and transparency of our re-imagined planning system will reject this unnecessary proposal for the greater good of our community, our health, our locality, our environment, our heritage and our climate."
She raised concerns about the number of trucks that would be using the listed Beamond Bridge, a seven-arch bridge which dates back to the 18th century, as well as the volume of trucks that would be travelling on narrow country roads.
Local Duleek/Bellewstown Cllr Stephen McKee also expressed his disappointment at the decision to grant permission.
He said: "I am opposing this development on behalf of local residents on the basis that the intensification of quarrying at the site would have a negative impact on the quality of life of local people and on the local environment.
“I will be discussing all options with local residents on the next steps."