CONCERN was expressed that the profile of a mountain "will be destroyed for all time" by quarrying operations.
The claim was made in a sub-mission on a planning application by Hillstreet Quarries Ltd for the continued operation of an existing quarry near Geevagh.
Despite the environmental concerns and objections from local residents, Sligo County Council granted planning permission to the company to continue to operate within an overall site of 287 hectares at Glen, Knockroe, Derrysallagh and Rover townlands near Geevagh.
The planning application drew a total of 10 submissions. The Kilronan Mountain Action Group talked in their submission of the impact of the quarrying operations on the local population because of the amount of heavy traffic on inadequate roads and blasting. They felt that blasting should be monitored independently because in the past blasting had caused vibrations in nearby houses and considerable alarm to the occupants.
Sligo Weekender
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label quarry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quarry. Show all posts
Friday, 20 June 2008
Sunday, 19 August 2007
Cork Council takes legal action against quarry operators
THE owners of a quarry alleged to be illegal have been told to halt all operations. Cork County Council has initiated legal proceedings against the operators of a large quarry at Curraglass, near Conna.
The quarry borders Cork and Waterford. It is believed to be a working quarry. The matter is likely to come before the district court in Tallow, Co Waterford shortly.
Officials from the council’s Enforcement Section have visited the site twice in recent months and despite the threat of legal proceedings, council sources insist there are visible signs of recent work activity.
Cllr Liam O’Doherty, who had highlighted the situation on numerous occasions at county hall meetings, yesterday welcomed the council’s get-tough policy.
The county councillor said, however, that he was concerned at the length of time it had taken to progress the matter to a legal stage.
Significantly, it was a council official who made the first complaint about the quarry on October 24, 2006. A warning letter was then issued.
“An agent working for the quarry operator contacted the council requesting a pre-planning meeting and indicated that he would submit a planning application for retention,” a county council spokeswoman said yesterday.
On November 28, an inspector from the council’s enforcement section called to the quarry and reported that, as an unauthorised development, it contravened section 151 of the Planning and Developments Acts (2000).
“In February, we were again told by the agent that an application for retention would be submitted to the council by March 9. On March 8, the council started legal proceedings,” the spokeswoman said.
Meanwhile, on March 21, a planning application was finally lodged but council officials returned it to the quarry operator’s agent on as it was incomplete.
On May 8, the council received another letter from the agent saying that the application would be resubmitted with the additional information requested by the council.
“In early June, we got photographic evidence that plant and machinery were in use at the site,” the council spokeswoman said.
A planning application was finally submitted by the quarry operator last week, seeking permission to retain the quarry and temporary processing plant on an indefinite basis. The application has yet to be validated.
On the same day — August 8 — an inspector from the enforcement section visited the site again.
“There was no activity on that particular day but it appeared that work had been carried out there since the visit in June,” the spokeswoman claimed.
She said that last Wednesday the council had issued a notice to the quarry operator advising him to cease all quarrying and associated activities on the site and remove all plant and machinery.
“We will be closely monitoring the situation,” the spokeswoman said.
Mr O’Doherty said it was “high time” Cork County Council set an example.
“It’s not fair on local residents, especially when it’s hard enough to get one-off planning for houses in rural areas,” he said.
Sean O’Riordan
Irish Examiner
The quarry borders Cork and Waterford. It is believed to be a working quarry. The matter is likely to come before the district court in Tallow, Co Waterford shortly.
Officials from the council’s Enforcement Section have visited the site twice in recent months and despite the threat of legal proceedings, council sources insist there are visible signs of recent work activity.
Cllr Liam O’Doherty, who had highlighted the situation on numerous occasions at county hall meetings, yesterday welcomed the council’s get-tough policy.
The county councillor said, however, that he was concerned at the length of time it had taken to progress the matter to a legal stage.
Significantly, it was a council official who made the first complaint about the quarry on October 24, 2006. A warning letter was then issued.
“An agent working for the quarry operator contacted the council requesting a pre-planning meeting and indicated that he would submit a planning application for retention,” a county council spokeswoman said yesterday.
On November 28, an inspector from the council’s enforcement section called to the quarry and reported that, as an unauthorised development, it contravened section 151 of the Planning and Developments Acts (2000).
“In February, we were again told by the agent that an application for retention would be submitted to the council by March 9. On March 8, the council started legal proceedings,” the spokeswoman said.
Meanwhile, on March 21, a planning application was finally lodged but council officials returned it to the quarry operator’s agent on as it was incomplete.
On May 8, the council received another letter from the agent saying that the application would be resubmitted with the additional information requested by the council.
“In early June, we got photographic evidence that plant and machinery were in use at the site,” the council spokeswoman said.
A planning application was finally submitted by the quarry operator last week, seeking permission to retain the quarry and temporary processing plant on an indefinite basis. The application has yet to be validated.
On the same day — August 8 — an inspector from the enforcement section visited the site again.
“There was no activity on that particular day but it appeared that work had been carried out there since the visit in June,” the spokeswoman claimed.
She said that last Wednesday the council had issued a notice to the quarry operator advising him to cease all quarrying and associated activities on the site and remove all plant and machinery.
“We will be closely monitoring the situation,” the spokeswoman said.
Mr O’Doherty said it was “high time” Cork County Council set an example.
“It’s not fair on local residents, especially when it’s hard enough to get one-off planning for houses in rural areas,” he said.
Sean O’Riordan
Irish Examiner
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
Allen action group keeps pressure on Roadstone
RESIDENTS of the Mill-town, Kilmeague and Allen areas have called on Roadstone to formulate a proper restoration plan for the Hill of Allen, given the impact of quarrying there over several decades. The demand came following a public meeting held in the Milltown Inn last week, which was attended by around 50 concerned residents from the area. Public representatives also turned out for the meeting, including deputies Sean O’Fearghail (FF) and Jack Wall (Labour), along with Fianna F•il councillors Pat Black and Fiona O’Loughlin. A petition concerning public access to the hill was launched at the same meeting.
“Essentially, we are calling on Roadstone to place a height restriction barrier at the entrance to the carpark beside the hill. At present, there are boulders there which are effectively hindering local people from using it as an amenity,” said local committee spokes-person Miriam Mulcahy.
At the meeting, Ms Mulcahy outlined the relevant planning issues to the attendance. Kildare County Council notified Roadstone in March 2006 that, due to the size of the quarry and given concerns about the environmental impact of the works, the company would have to submit a planning application and an environmental impact statement. Roadstone insists that its quarrying on the hill has had no significant effect in environmental terms and has sought a judicial review of the matter.
Anne Davidson addressed the Milltown meeting on the subject of the county development plan, focusing in particular on the regulations and guidelines related to ‘extractive industries’, while Conor Mahony spoke about the historic and cultural significance of the hill. Those in attendance viewed a slide show and were shown a series of large maps which, the organisers claimed, indicated the areas of extraction proposed in Roadstone’s future plans.
“There was a lot of shock when people actually saw exactly how much of the hill is about to be taken away,” said Miriam Mulcahy. The group wants to preserve the remainder of the hill and get Roadstone to commit itself to a public and detailed restoration plan. It also aims to keep local people informed, publicising all decisions made by Kildare CC in respect of the hill.
The committee, chaired by Brian O’Loughlin, has expressed dissatisfaction with Roadstone’s current approach to restoring those areas of the hill that have already been quarried. “It appears that at present it is just a matter of trucks tipping earth onto the face of the hill. What we are seeking is a proper, phased restoration plan,” Ms Mulcahy said.
In a statement issued last week, Roadstone said: “Roadstone Dublin Limited has operated a quarry at the Hill of Allen since the 1940s, providing essential raw materials to the local construction industry. Almost 70 people are directly and indirectly employed at the facility, which operates in compliance with all appropriate legislative, planning and environmental requirements. “On 26 April 2005, Roadstone Dublin Ltd registered its quarry with Kildare County Council as required under section 261 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000. A judicial review is currently underway in relation to this matter and Roadstone Dublin is therefore precluded from commenting any further until that process has reached a conclusion.”
The local committee, meanwhile, is currently active in setting up a website on which people can access information about this issue and an e-mail campaign is already underway, with people asked to contribute their views to hillofallen@eircom.net.
Vicki Weller
© Kildare Nationalist
“Essentially, we are calling on Roadstone to place a height restriction barrier at the entrance to the carpark beside the hill. At present, there are boulders there which are effectively hindering local people from using it as an amenity,” said local committee spokes-person Miriam Mulcahy.
At the meeting, Ms Mulcahy outlined the relevant planning issues to the attendance. Kildare County Council notified Roadstone in March 2006 that, due to the size of the quarry and given concerns about the environmental impact of the works, the company would have to submit a planning application and an environmental impact statement. Roadstone insists that its quarrying on the hill has had no significant effect in environmental terms and has sought a judicial review of the matter.
Anne Davidson addressed the Milltown meeting on the subject of the county development plan, focusing in particular on the regulations and guidelines related to ‘extractive industries’, while Conor Mahony spoke about the historic and cultural significance of the hill. Those in attendance viewed a slide show and were shown a series of large maps which, the organisers claimed, indicated the areas of extraction proposed in Roadstone’s future plans.
“There was a lot of shock when people actually saw exactly how much of the hill is about to be taken away,” said Miriam Mulcahy. The group wants to preserve the remainder of the hill and get Roadstone to commit itself to a public and detailed restoration plan. It also aims to keep local people informed, publicising all decisions made by Kildare CC in respect of the hill.
The committee, chaired by Brian O’Loughlin, has expressed dissatisfaction with Roadstone’s current approach to restoring those areas of the hill that have already been quarried. “It appears that at present it is just a matter of trucks tipping earth onto the face of the hill. What we are seeking is a proper, phased restoration plan,” Ms Mulcahy said.
In a statement issued last week, Roadstone said: “Roadstone Dublin Limited has operated a quarry at the Hill of Allen since the 1940s, providing essential raw materials to the local construction industry. Almost 70 people are directly and indirectly employed at the facility, which operates in compliance with all appropriate legislative, planning and environmental requirements. “On 26 April 2005, Roadstone Dublin Ltd registered its quarry with Kildare County Council as required under section 261 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000. A judicial review is currently underway in relation to this matter and Roadstone Dublin is therefore precluded from commenting any further until that process has reached a conclusion.”
The local committee, meanwhile, is currently active in setting up a website on which people can access information about this issue and an e-mail campaign is already underway, with people asked to contribute their views to hillofallen@eircom.net.
Vicki Weller
© Kildare Nationalist
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Locals set to fight Askeaton quarry
A PROPOSED 50-acre limestone quarry outside Askeaton would generate 700 truck movements a day on the N69, according to the group which has been formed to oppose the project. Denis Lane, from Croom, has applied through a Dublin firm of architects for planning permission for a quarry and site development and landscaping works, including the construction of an internal road, prefabricated office
buildings, canteen, ancillary mobile processing plant, wheelwash, control cabin and weighbridge, fuel tank, settlement lagoons, boundary treatment, wastewater treatment system and parking on an overall application area of 19.9 hectares (50 acres). The site is at Ballyclough, off the Askeaton to Ardagh road, a mile south of the town. A preliminary meeting of locals has already been held, at which 87 people attended, and an action committee has been formed to oppose the project. “The environmental impact statement states that there would be 35 lorries an hour over a 10-hour working day,” said action group chairman Tommy Kelly, who works at Aughinish Alumina and who has land near the proposed quarry on which he keeps thoroughbred horses. “That would amount to 700 truck movements a day. There is no way that the N69 could take that extra heavy traffic all the way into Limerick. People coming to work at Aughinish and Wyeth would be inconvenienced. Going by the previous experience, where a quarry was being applied for near Ferrybridge, property in the area would be devalued by 25 per cent. We’ll be getting our own auctioneers to do a valuation in this case.” Mr Kelly said that his own business would be badly affected, because thoroughbred bloodstock would be upset by the noise of the quarry working and of the heavy traffic. It was suggested at the preliminary meeting of residents that Dáil candidate Cllr Niall Collins was in some way connected with the applicant for the quarry. Cllr Collins this week denied any connection with Mr Lane or the quarry project and insisted that he would be among the first to object to the work. A further meeting will be held next Monday at Askeaton Community Hall, the purpose of which, said Mr Kelly, will be to have the greatest number of people as possible object to the planning application. Cllr Collins said that he will attend that meeting, or be represented, to voice his objection to the quarry going ahead.
Martin Byrnes
© Limerick Leader
buildings, canteen, ancillary mobile processing plant, wheelwash, control cabin and weighbridge, fuel tank, settlement lagoons, boundary treatment, wastewater treatment system and parking on an overall application area of 19.9 hectares (50 acres). The site is at Ballyclough, off the Askeaton to Ardagh road, a mile south of the town. A preliminary meeting of locals has already been held, at which 87 people attended, and an action committee has been formed to oppose the project. “The environmental impact statement states that there would be 35 lorries an hour over a 10-hour working day,” said action group chairman Tommy Kelly, who works at Aughinish Alumina and who has land near the proposed quarry on which he keeps thoroughbred horses. “That would amount to 700 truck movements a day. There is no way that the N69 could take that extra heavy traffic all the way into Limerick. People coming to work at Aughinish and Wyeth would be inconvenienced. Going by the previous experience, where a quarry was being applied for near Ferrybridge, property in the area would be devalued by 25 per cent. We’ll be getting our own auctioneers to do a valuation in this case.” Mr Kelly said that his own business would be badly affected, because thoroughbred bloodstock would be upset by the noise of the quarry working and of the heavy traffic. It was suggested at the preliminary meeting of residents that Dáil candidate Cllr Niall Collins was in some way connected with the applicant for the quarry. Cllr Collins this week denied any connection with Mr Lane or the quarry project and insisted that he would be among the first to object to the work. A further meeting will be held next Monday at Askeaton Community Hall, the purpose of which, said Mr Kelly, will be to have the greatest number of people as possible object to the planning application. Cllr Collins said that he will attend that meeting, or be represented, to voice his objection to the quarry going ahead.
Martin Byrnes
© Limerick Leader
Thursday, 10 May 2007
Objectors plan EU campaign to halt quarry
A GROUP awaiting a Bord Pleanála ruling on a controversial super-quarry is poised to launch an EU campaign to halt quarrying in their area.
The planning appeals board is expected to rule within days on whether or not Healy Brothers Ltd can open a new quarry in Rossmore, near Carrigtwohill in East Cork.
The company, which operates two quarries nearby, plans to extract sand and gravel at Rossmore for export as well as extract, crush and wash limestone for use in the manufacture of concrete nearby.
Several quarries are already operating in the area.
The county council granted permission for the Healy Brothers project last year and attached 40 conditions. But following an appeal from residents led by the Carrigtwohill Environment Alliance (CEA), Bord Pleanála held an oral hearing on the project last September. A decision is expected within days.
CEA confirmed yesterday that it sent two representatives to Brussels last week, following an invitation from independent MEP Kathy Synott, on a fact-finding mission.
Peter Thompson and John Joe Harte sat in on a session of the EU’s powerful Petitions Committee which examines complaints concerning application of EU law.
Mr Thompson said the group is considering lodging a petition with the committee calling for a complete halt to further expansion of the quarrying industry in their area. Their next course of action will depend on how Bord Pleanála rules on the Healy Brothers’ project, he said.
However, any possible appeal to the Petitions Committee will not focus on that project alone.
Mr Thompson said any case the CEA may pursue at EU level will focus on the entire quarrying industry in the Carrigtwohill area.
“We will be seeking a total moratorium on quarrying in this area. Quarrying has reached total saturation point. Any more will be unsustainable,” he said.
Engineers for Healy Brothers told the Bord Pleanála hearing last September that granting the Rossmore project is crucial to secure the future of the company.
Limestone and sand and gravel reserves at its Milebush and Coppingerstown quarries will last for just another three years.
The 56-year-old family-run company employs 270 people and is dependent on this application for its very existence, the hearing was told.
Irish Examiner
The planning appeals board is expected to rule within days on whether or not Healy Brothers Ltd can open a new quarry in Rossmore, near Carrigtwohill in East Cork.
The company, which operates two quarries nearby, plans to extract sand and gravel at Rossmore for export as well as extract, crush and wash limestone for use in the manufacture of concrete nearby.
Several quarries are already operating in the area.
The county council granted permission for the Healy Brothers project last year and attached 40 conditions. But following an appeal from residents led by the Carrigtwohill Environment Alliance (CEA), Bord Pleanála held an oral hearing on the project last September. A decision is expected within days.
CEA confirmed yesterday that it sent two representatives to Brussels last week, following an invitation from independent MEP Kathy Synott, on a fact-finding mission.
Peter Thompson and John Joe Harte sat in on a session of the EU’s powerful Petitions Committee which examines complaints concerning application of EU law.
Mr Thompson said the group is considering lodging a petition with the committee calling for a complete halt to further expansion of the quarrying industry in their area. Their next course of action will depend on how Bord Pleanála rules on the Healy Brothers’ project, he said.
However, any possible appeal to the Petitions Committee will not focus on that project alone.
Mr Thompson said any case the CEA may pursue at EU level will focus on the entire quarrying industry in the Carrigtwohill area.
“We will be seeking a total moratorium on quarrying in this area. Quarrying has reached total saturation point. Any more will be unsustainable,” he said.
Engineers for Healy Brothers told the Bord Pleanála hearing last September that granting the Rossmore project is crucial to secure the future of the company.
Limestone and sand and gravel reserves at its Milebush and Coppingerstown quarries will last for just another three years.
The 56-year-old family-run company employs 270 people and is dependent on this application for its very existence, the hearing was told.
Irish Examiner
Thursday, 19 April 2007
Warning over Kildare quarry effluent
A major quarry operation in Kildare has been ordered to stop pumping huge quantities of water into a local river after complaints from locals that excavations had polluted water supplies.
Officials at Kildare County Council responded to complaints yesterday that effluent was originating from a quarry near Monasterevin. In a statement, the council said that a notice under section 12 of the Local Government Water Pollution Act 1977 would be served to cease any discharge immediately.
The move is part of a major council investigation launched this week following complaints by locals over the discharge of water from two quarries. People living along the banks of the Grand Canal in the Ballykelly area of Monasterevin told the Leinster Express that they had experienced a decline in their water supply. The residents rely on private wells, but supplies to homes have begun to run dry.
While private wells have been affected, the council is understood to be checking wells which supply public mains. Reports emerged yesterday that the council was extending its investigation because of the scale of the discharge.
Residents in Ballykelly say that the quarrying has led to a significant build-up of spring water in the quarries. Locals claimed continuous blasting at one of the quarries had resulted in irreversible damage to supplies.
One of the quarries is unused but had filled with water until pumping began before Easter. Locals claim workers installed equipment to empty water from the site in anticipation of permission to restart quarrying.
Residents say that industrial-sized pipes have pumped water from the quarries into a ditch which runs parallel to the Grand Canal. This has been confirmed by the council.
Waterways Ireland also moved this week to investigate the complaints. A spokeswoman confirmed that it had not licensed work on land beside the canal. She said that the agency would be writing to the site operators.
Conor Ganly
© 2007 The Irish Times
Officials at Kildare County Council responded to complaints yesterday that effluent was originating from a quarry near Monasterevin. In a statement, the council said that a notice under section 12 of the Local Government Water Pollution Act 1977 would be served to cease any discharge immediately.
The move is part of a major council investigation launched this week following complaints by locals over the discharge of water from two quarries. People living along the banks of the Grand Canal in the Ballykelly area of Monasterevin told the Leinster Express that they had experienced a decline in their water supply. The residents rely on private wells, but supplies to homes have begun to run dry.
While private wells have been affected, the council is understood to be checking wells which supply public mains. Reports emerged yesterday that the council was extending its investigation because of the scale of the discharge.
Residents in Ballykelly say that the quarrying has led to a significant build-up of spring water in the quarries. Locals claimed continuous blasting at one of the quarries had resulted in irreversible damage to supplies.
One of the quarries is unused but had filled with water until pumping began before Easter. Locals claim workers installed equipment to empty water from the site in anticipation of permission to restart quarrying.
Residents say that industrial-sized pipes have pumped water from the quarries into a ditch which runs parallel to the Grand Canal. This has been confirmed by the council.
Waterways Ireland also moved this week to investigate the complaints. A spokeswoman confirmed that it had not licensed work on land beside the canal. She said that the agency would be writing to the site operators.
Conor Ganly
© 2007 The Irish Times
Monday, 16 April 2007
An Taisce V John McQuaid
John McQuaid, Goldhawk’s old pal, is still busy smashing up rocks in his illegal quarry in Clontibret, Co Monaghan with that big contract from Gama still bringing in the readies. McQuaid might be in more bother, however, following allegations from An Taisce that John and wife Mary are now operating a second unauthorised quarry less than a mile away. The ever busy Ian Lumley has fired in a letter to Paul Clifford in Monaghan County Council, alleging that he visited the new site himself and found “large scale unauthorised ... removal of shale, which is being carried out by McQuaid Quarries Ltd vehicles”. Clifford, the Council’s director of services, told Goldhawk the matter is “under investigation”. It will be recalled (see The Phoenix 11/3/05) that Monaghan County Council determined two years ago that McQuaid’s quarry was unauthorised. Not that this overly-concerned the infamous Turkish construction firm Gama, which continues to use it to supply the EU-funded N2 Clontibret-Castleblaney bypass – a €56m contract – much to the chagrin of Joe Higgins, the Socialist Party TD. Martin Cullen only turned the sod on this road in November 2005, meaning that the most recent accounts for John McQuaid (Quarries) Ltd don’t show the flow cash from Gama. Nevertheless, the company still had accumulated profits of €170,000 at the end of October 2005 – not bad for an unapproved operation. Despite numerous missives from An Taisce, the Council as yet to make any attempt at nforcing the planning laws. While McQuaid has applied for planning permission, the Council has yet to issue a decision and told Goldhawk that it has received legal advice regarding the quarry.
© The Phoenix Magazine
© The Phoenix Magazine
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
Legal battles in Boyle
WHAT IS it with quarries and the courts? Gerry McManus, owner of Boyle Quarries Ltd (BQ), is taking Roscommon County Council to the High Court in a bid to get planning permission for his quarry, while a recent legal action against the company for noise pollution has threatened to shut his operation down. McManus applied for planning permission to continue operating his controversial quarry in Letfordspark, Boyle, in January 2006, as new planning laws for quarries required. According to the Council, McManus was unsuccessful but the Fermanagh-based quarryman disputes this and says that the Council didn’t come back with an answer within the established timeframe. McManus has now gone to the High Court seeking a judicial review that he hopes will lead to his company getting planning permission by default.
It isn’t the first headache McManus has caused planning officials, who served an enforcement notice on BQ in July 2005 for unauthorised development on the Letsfordpark site, including illegal quarrying, structures and machinery. McManus is also dealing with an action taken under the Environmental Pollution Act against BQ by local couple Edward and Teresa Quinn, for excessive noise. Circuit Court judge Miriam Reynolds sided with the Quinns and has ordered all noise from the quarry to cease, effectively closing the quarry. McManus didn’t return Goldhawk’s calls and his solicitor – Michael J Ryan – had no comment on the possibility of an appeal.
On top of all this, McManus is awaiting a ruling from the High Court in relation to another action – this time by local Tom Callan – relating to allegedly illegal intensification of quarrying. It might be a good time for Gerry to head back across the border.
© The Phoenix
It isn’t the first headache McManus has caused planning officials, who served an enforcement notice on BQ in July 2005 for unauthorised development on the Letsfordpark site, including illegal quarrying, structures and machinery. McManus is also dealing with an action taken under the Environmental Pollution Act against BQ by local couple Edward and Teresa Quinn, for excessive noise. Circuit Court judge Miriam Reynolds sided with the Quinns and has ordered all noise from the quarry to cease, effectively closing the quarry. McManus didn’t return Goldhawk’s calls and his solicitor – Michael J Ryan – had no comment on the possibility of an appeal.
On top of all this, McManus is awaiting a ruling from the High Court in relation to another action – this time by local Tom Callan – relating to allegedly illegal intensification of quarrying. It might be a good time for Gerry to head back across the border.
© The Phoenix
Farmer unaware land was registered as quarry
The case of a farmer whose land was registered as a quarry without his knowledge is to be raised as an emergency issue at a meeting of South Dublin County Council (SDCC) later today.
In recent weeks, farmer Brian Joyce found out that 47 acres of his farm, close to Tallaght in south-west Dublin, had been registered as a quarry with SDCC by Roadstone. The section registered includes the site of his home, his parents' home and the home of his neighbour.
The lands, at Mount Seskin Road, adjoin the De Selby quarry, which is owned and operated by Roadstone, a subsidiary of Irish multinational CRH and one of the largest quarrying firms in the country. The company has said that it is entitled to register the lands and claims to have quarrying rights on them through a lease dating back to 1913.
Mr Joyce said that he had been unable to find any record of the lease in land registry records. He said that he and his family were "shocked and appalled" at the registration and the claims by Roadstone. "The farm has been owned freehold by our family for the last 46 years, and the first we heard about this so-called lease was three weeks ago," he said.
The farm was bought in 1961 by Mr Joyce's father, Thomas, now 89, after he returned from England, where he worked as a labourer. Mr Joyce snr and his wife, Catherine, still live on the farm.
Brian Joyce, who rents additional land from Roadstone, said that he had learned about the registration during a discussion with company representatives. "The land they have registered includes my house, it includes my parents, it includes my neighbours, but none of this is shown. The map they put in is from the 1930s."
Under current planning laws, quarrying companies are required to register a quarry with the relevant county council, in this case South Dublin, and indicate the extent of the quarry in supporting documents. Mr Joyce said that the quarry operator was also required to state who owned the land on which the quarry was located. However, in this section of the form, the company had written "not applicable".
Mr Joyce added: "Not applicable seems to be all we are to Roadstone." He criticised the south Dublin planning department for failing to carry out a check to establish the accuracy of the information supplied by Roadstone and said that this would have shown up a planning application for an extension to his house on the site claimed as a quarry.
Council planners have requested Roadstone to submit a full planning application in relation to the quarry, although the issue surrounding the ownership of some of the lands has yet to be raised by planners, according to SDCC planning documents.
SDCC mayor Eamonn Maloney is to raise the issue by way of an emergency motion later today in an attempt to remove the registration from the records on the basis that the firm supplied incomplete information.
In a statement to The Irish Times, Roadstone declined to comment on the matter of the information provided in the registration. "Roadstone Dublin Ltd registered its quarry at De Selby under Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act in April 2005," the statement said. "As part of that registration, we included land registered to the Joyce farm on which Roadstone Dublin Ltd has quarrying rights by way of a lease in 1913."
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
In recent weeks, farmer Brian Joyce found out that 47 acres of his farm, close to Tallaght in south-west Dublin, had been registered as a quarry with SDCC by Roadstone. The section registered includes the site of his home, his parents' home and the home of his neighbour.
The lands, at Mount Seskin Road, adjoin the De Selby quarry, which is owned and operated by Roadstone, a subsidiary of Irish multinational CRH and one of the largest quarrying firms in the country. The company has said that it is entitled to register the lands and claims to have quarrying rights on them through a lease dating back to 1913.
Mr Joyce said that he had been unable to find any record of the lease in land registry records. He said that he and his family were "shocked and appalled" at the registration and the claims by Roadstone. "The farm has been owned freehold by our family for the last 46 years, and the first we heard about this so-called lease was three weeks ago," he said.
The farm was bought in 1961 by Mr Joyce's father, Thomas, now 89, after he returned from England, where he worked as a labourer. Mr Joyce snr and his wife, Catherine, still live on the farm.
Brian Joyce, who rents additional land from Roadstone, said that he had learned about the registration during a discussion with company representatives. "The land they have registered includes my house, it includes my parents, it includes my neighbours, but none of this is shown. The map they put in is from the 1930s."
Under current planning laws, quarrying companies are required to register a quarry with the relevant county council, in this case South Dublin, and indicate the extent of the quarry in supporting documents. Mr Joyce said that the quarry operator was also required to state who owned the land on which the quarry was located. However, in this section of the form, the company had written "not applicable".
Mr Joyce added: "Not applicable seems to be all we are to Roadstone." He criticised the south Dublin planning department for failing to carry out a check to establish the accuracy of the information supplied by Roadstone and said that this would have shown up a planning application for an extension to his house on the site claimed as a quarry.
Council planners have requested Roadstone to submit a full planning application in relation to the quarry, although the issue surrounding the ownership of some of the lands has yet to be raised by planners, according to SDCC planning documents.
SDCC mayor Eamonn Maloney is to raise the issue by way of an emergency motion later today in an attempt to remove the registration from the records on the basis that the firm supplied incomplete information.
In a statement to The Irish Times, Roadstone declined to comment on the matter of the information provided in the registration. "Roadstone Dublin Ltd registered its quarry at De Selby under Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act in April 2005," the statement said. "As part of that registration, we included land registered to the Joyce farm on which Roadstone Dublin Ltd has quarrying rights by way of a lease in 1913."
Liam Reid
© 2007 The Irish Times
Sunday, 3 December 2006
Garda review to follow quarry ruling
From Irish Times:
The Garda is to review its arrangements for the supervision of blasting at a Wicklow quarry, following a High Court determination that the quarry is required to have planning permission.
In the past gardaà have required neighbours of the quarry to evacuate their property during the blasting.
O'Reilly Brothers (Wicklow) Ltd, of Ballylusk, near Ashford, was told by the High Court last month that An Bord Pleanála had not erred when it ruled in July 2003 that the quarry was required to have planning permission.
While Mr Justice John Quirke described documentation provided by Wicklow County Council to An Bord Pleanála as "deplorable", the judge ruled that there was adequate material upon which An Bord Pleanála could make its determination.
Having read the relevant documents, the judge said he was of the same view as the planning inspector. He noted the relevant provisions of the Planning Act 2000 required that the grounds of referral, and the "reasons, considerations and arguments" upon which those grounds were based, must be stated in full.
Because the planning authority was prepared to "sieve" through the extensive and "rag-tag" documentation given to it by the council, it was able to glean the grounds of referral and the "reasons, considerations and arguments" upon which those were based, he found. While it was "discourteous and grossly unsatisfactory" that any local authority should refer a question to the planning authority "in such a deplorable manner", he was satisfied neither the company nor any other party to the referral process was prejudiced by the regrettable quality of the documents provided by the council.
The company had told the court that because the council had not properly referred the issue to An Bord Pleanála, the planning authority's decision of July 2003 was invalid.
Locals were hopeful that the ruling may bring to an end quarrying activity at Ballylusk, although The Irish Times has established that the company lodged a planning application with Wicklow County Council during the course of its separate court appeal.
Calls to Wicklow County Council on the matter last week were not returned.
A resident who asked not to be identified said locals were greatly disappointed in the past when asked by gardaà to leave their properties.
One individual has told gardaà that should the issue arise again he would not be prepared to comply with their instructions. Other locals said they were now relying on Wicklow County Council to take enforcement action.
A Garda spokesman noted that the force had sought advice from the office of the Attorney General before officers attended while explosives were being used at Ballylusk quarry. While he said that a review of the current arrangements would be undertaken, the principal authority in the matter would be the planning authority, Wicklow County Council.
The issue is to be raised at a council meeting today by Green Party councillor Deirdre de Burca who said there were "now two clear decisions from An Bord Pleanála and the High Court in favour of locals and I will be calling on the council to meet its obligations through enforcement right away".
The Garda is to review its arrangements for the supervision of blasting at a Wicklow quarry, following a High Court determination that the quarry is required to have planning permission.
In the past gardaà have required neighbours of the quarry to evacuate their property during the blasting.
O'Reilly Brothers (Wicklow) Ltd, of Ballylusk, near Ashford, was told by the High Court last month that An Bord Pleanála had not erred when it ruled in July 2003 that the quarry was required to have planning permission.
While Mr Justice John Quirke described documentation provided by Wicklow County Council to An Bord Pleanála as "deplorable", the judge ruled that there was adequate material upon which An Bord Pleanála could make its determination.
Having read the relevant documents, the judge said he was of the same view as the planning inspector. He noted the relevant provisions of the Planning Act 2000 required that the grounds of referral, and the "reasons, considerations and arguments" upon which those grounds were based, must be stated in full.
Because the planning authority was prepared to "sieve" through the extensive and "rag-tag" documentation given to it by the council, it was able to glean the grounds of referral and the "reasons, considerations and arguments" upon which those were based, he found. While it was "discourteous and grossly unsatisfactory" that any local authority should refer a question to the planning authority "in such a deplorable manner", he was satisfied neither the company nor any other party to the referral process was prejudiced by the regrettable quality of the documents provided by the council.
The company had told the court that because the council had not properly referred the issue to An Bord Pleanála, the planning authority's decision of July 2003 was invalid.
Locals were hopeful that the ruling may bring to an end quarrying activity at Ballylusk, although The Irish Times has established that the company lodged a planning application with Wicklow County Council during the course of its separate court appeal.
Calls to Wicklow County Council on the matter last week were not returned.
A resident who asked not to be identified said locals were greatly disappointed in the past when asked by gardaà to leave their properties.
One individual has told gardaà that should the issue arise again he would not be prepared to comply with their instructions. Other locals said they were now relying on Wicklow County Council to take enforcement action.
A Garda spokesman noted that the force had sought advice from the office of the Attorney General before officers attended while explosives were being used at Ballylusk quarry. While he said that a review of the current arrangements would be undertaken, the principal authority in the matter would be the planning authority, Wicklow County Council.
The issue is to be raised at a council meeting today by Green Party councillor Deirdre de Burca who said there were "now two clear decisions from An Bord Pleanála and the High Court in favour of locals and I will be calling on the council to meet its obligations through enforcement right away".
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