Quarry plan refused permission

AN BORD Pleanala has refused to grant permission for the development of a limestone quarry and retention of existing facilities in South Roscommon. The operators of the quarry, Central Quarries Ltd, appealed a decision of Roscommon County Council to refuse planning permission for retention and expansion of quarry facilities at Castlesampson, Bealnamullia, County Roscommon.

The quarry company had sought planning permission for the development of a limestone quarry and retention of an existing sand and gravel quarry at Castlesampson but was refused permission by Roscommon County Council on the grounds of traffic hazard, groundwater and impact on residential amenities.

In its appeal against the decision, the quarry company argued that the planning authority had previously granted planning permission for a quarry on the site on two previous occasions and that the decision of Roscommon County Council to refuse permission was not consistent with previous decisions made.

The company also argued that a quarry had been operating on the site in question for over 40 years.

The North West Regional Fisheries Board acted as observers on the appeal and expressed concerns about the potential for groundwater pollution at the site, given the high water table in the area.

The site of the proposed development is located in the source protection area for the main ground source of the South Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme (Killeglan Springs).

On assessing the appeal, planning inspector with An Bord Pleanala, Paul Caprani, recommended refusal for the development on a number of grounds, including the pollution risk to groundwater.

The Bord also stated that it was not satisfied that noise generated by the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of residential property and occupants of the adjoining school in the vicinity.

Maresa Fagan
© Roscommon Herald