Locals likely to appeal Dunlavin quarry decision

I had a call yesterday on this. This was a story the Wicklow People covered last week.

An appeal to An Bord Pleanala from residents of the Dunlavin area is likely following the news that a leading quarrying company has received planning permission for a 19-hectare (47-acre) quarry there.

On Tuesday, the planning office of Wicklow County Council granted planning permission for Kilsaran Concrete to quarry land at Ballyhurtin, Dunlavin, despite receiving 33 objections from concerned locals.

One of the objectors, Matthew Leith, runs a local bed and breakfast and is convinced that any quarry on his doorstep will kill off tourists visiting Rathsallagh House and the surrounding area. He is also baffled about the decision, considering how difficult it is for locals to get planning permission for one-off houses.

'My daughter has been looking into building a house quite near on a road not quite as bad as where this quarry will be situated,' he said.

'This has been ongoing for the past five years, yet the County Council and An Bord Pleanala have turned her down. It seems to be one rule for big companies and another for the ordinary local,' says a frustrated Mr. Leith.

The site will also necessitate the removal of an esker, a long narrow ridge of sand and gravel deposited by glacial meltwaters, which Mr. Leith further believes will completely change and ruin the local landscape.

'This will put us out of business,' says the downhearted bed and breakfast owner. 'The main industries here are bloodstock and tourism and I can't see how either will survive. The traffic on that particular road is already bad, especially around school time. I don't see how it can handle any more traffic.'

He and most of his neighbours have now vowed to take their objections to An Bord Pleanala, and have the support of the Dunlavin & District Forum as well as Deputy Billy Timmins.

According to the Fine Gael Deputy, 'the decision is a strange one, particularly considering people in the area are being turned down for one off housing due to the narrowness of the roads. Its also one of the scenic gems in the county.'

Minister Roche announces significant new land acquisition at Glendalough for Wicklow Mountains National Park

Mr. Dick Roche TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today (2nd January '07) announced a significant new land acquisition for Wicklow Mountains National Park at Glendalough.

The area in question comprises three plots totalling some 19 hectares (47 acres). The area includes land along the lower lake at Glendalough where the National Parks and Wildlife Service has already provided extensive wheelchair-accessible boardwalking. Importantly, the land includes the area around the famous round tower monastic site and secures access to the National Monument at Our Lady's Church. These lands form part of the classic views of Glendalough and include arguably the most popular and most photographed vantage point for the round tower. The lands also include a section of St Kevin's Road and a number of other monuments such as the Seven Fonts (a large bullaun stone).

Welcoming the acquisition, the Minister said "I am delighted with this acquisition, which will enhance our ability to protect and conserve some of Ireland's most important and best-loved national monuments for posterity. These lands will now become incorporated into Wicklow Mountains National Park, consolidating the land holding around the Lower Lake. I am very proud to have made a second significant acquisition for the National Park this year after the acquisition of some 648 hectares (1,600 acres) at Luggala last March, which joined the two main sections of the National Park for the first time."