Residents' worries about heavy vehicles on busy Kiltale road

Residents' worries about heavy vehicles on already busy road

Meath County Council has granted planning permission for a development at Boycetown, Dunsany, that will see the importation of topsoil, soil, and stone to reclaim land for agriculture use on a five-hectare site, despite local objections.

Davin Plant Hire Ltd was given the green light by council planners for the importation of natural materials of topsoil, soil or stone for the purposes of land reclamation for a beneficial agricultural afteruse (5.6 hectares), temporary wheel wash, weighbridge, office, access track, landscaping and all ancillary site development infrastructure.

The project provides for the importation of topsoil, soil and stone to provide an access track and final landscaping under Article 27 as defined by the EPA for land reclamation and reinstatement purposes. The application was accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR), Natura Impact Statement (NIS) and associated documents. The application relates to a reclamation development requiring a waste permit to be issued by the Meath County Council.

A number of submissions were made on the plans including ones from Kiltale Hurling Club, Kiltale Enhancement Group, and the board of management of the local Kiltale NS, as well as local residents. Among the concerns raised were the increased traffic on the narrow road, dust and noise.

In its objection, Kiltale National School said the increased volume of traffic would pose a danger to all road users and in particular to the children, parents and staff who come in and out of school each day on an already busy and dangerous road.

Kiltale Enhancement Group, in its submission, said it was "disappointed there was no engagement with the local community regarding this project" and raised concerns about increased traffic along the Kiltale/Galtrim Road along the already busy narrow road, as well as concerns that it will affect air quality because of dust created by additional traffic.

Kiltale Hurling Club in its submission said it felt "aggrieved" that there has been no interaction by this company with the club and community before the application was lodged and raised concerns about the already "huge concentration of heavy traffic" in the area on a narrow road with a poor footpath and no street lighting.

A well-attended community meeting was held in Kiltale GAA clubhouse to discuss the development. Writing on its Facebook page, the club vowed to continue its fight against the plans by lodging an appeal to an Bord Pleanala and urged locals to contact their elected representatives.