A research company based in Dunboyne, Co Meath which is proposing a high-tech science and business park says it will be "forced to review this expansion" if a limestone rock quarry gets the go-ahead at Kilcock, Co Meath.
Dr Pearse Lyons, owner and president of Alltech Biotechnology Centre, has appealed to An Bord Pleanála on foot of planning permission granted to Kilsaran Concrete for the quarry at Mulhussey in Kilcock.
Dr Lyons says the centre employs 80 people and is in the planning stages with a high-tech life science and business park "whose focus is on natural agricultural science and research". "Air and land quality is of extreme importance to us," he adds.
He says the quarry would have a negative impact "on how we would perceive our current and future investment in the area". Dr Lyons is one of 17 parties to appeal the proposal. Other appellants include Moyglare Stud, Finsceal Stud, Dollanstown Stud and Mulhussey Residents Group.
A previous proposal by Kilsaran Concrete to locate a quarry at the site was rejected by An Bord Pleanála in 2006.
Stan Cosgrove, the manager of Moyglare Stud, has also threatened to relocate if the quarry goes ahead saying it could constitute a serious risk to the health of their "world renowned thoroughbred business".
Cosgrove says Moyglare Stud Farm has always been in third or fourth position in the world on the breeder/owner tables and, in order to have this degree of success on the world stage, it is essential to have "a safe, secure, tranquil and peaceful environment".
He says dust from the quarry may have an adverse effect on the respiratory tract of young foals and "result in impairment of speed potential in later life".
He says noise from heavy goods vehicles could not be tolerated by pregnant mares or racehorses, who by nature are "very highly strung animals".
Cosgrove would give "serious consideration" to relocation outside Ireland should the development be granted planning permission.
Mulhussey Residents Group says the principle of a quarry at the proposed location has already been "deemed unacceptable" by An Bord Pleanála and "the issues arising from the previous decision of An Bord Pleanála have not been overcome in this application".
It says the road network is substandard and increased traffic movements would endanger public safety while the quarry would be "incompatible" with the continued use of Mulhussey National school which is less than 400 metres away.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
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