Meeting held to hear concerns over expansion plan of Duleek quarry

A COMMUNITY meeting organised by Bellewstown Environmental Protection Group to discuss Kilsaran Concrete's plans for a major expansion of its quarry operation at Annagor, Duleek, was attended by around 80 concerned locals last Thursday evening.

Residents from areas including Crufty, Annagor, Kilsharvan, Bellewstown, Duleek, Dardistown, and Julianstown gathered in the village hall where Grace McCullen, a volunteer for Bellewstown Environmental Protection Group, presented information on the Annagor Quarry proposal outlining the planning context and potential impacts.

Many members the local community shared examples of the negative consequences of living near a quarry including health and environment, road traffic, and the noise and dust nuisance. The pinch points for traffic congestion at Julianstown and Duleek from the proposed increase in truck movements is of significant concern on a road network under daily strain.

The group said there was very positive support for the BEPG campaign, ‘For The Greater Good’, which is supportive of development that has sustainable benefits for all. BEPG is seeking the restoration of the Annagor Site in accordance with An Bord Pleanala conditions, when the current licence ceases in May 2028. They say locals have endured twenty years of disruption from the quarry and now want Meath County Council to uphold the current planning conditions.

The community meeting was prompted by the recent lodging of a planning application Kilsaran Concrete Unlimited Company seeking permission for the continued use of the existing quarry and also an 8.6 hectares extension of the extraction area as well as permission to import 2.7m tonnes of stone and soil for backfill and export.

The plans include the continued extraction and processing of the existing rock quarry and related ancillary buildings, existing site entrance and haul road, while permission is also sought for a new extension to the south of circa 8.6ha to a depth of –15m, as well as of the importation of circa 2.7 million tonnes of non-waste soil and stone to be partly utilised in the backfilling of the existing quarry void (c. 7.4ha) to the north of the site as part of the proposed progressive restoration phase.

It also includes a new soil washing and aggregate recovery plant.

The permitted annual average extraction rate is 400,000 tonnes per annum (equivalent to 800,000 tonnes per annum during peak periods) limited to a daily maximum rate of 3,000 tonnes and permission is sought to increase the permitted average annual extraction to an average annual production rate to 650,000 tonnes per annum (equivalent to 900,000 tonnes per annum during peak periods) to a maximum daily rate of 3,400 tonnes per day.

Planning permission is sought for a period of 20 years with an additional two year period to allow for restoration (22 years in total). Approximately 7.4ha of quarry void would be backfilled with non-waste stone and soil material with a freshwater lake provided in the remaining quarry void.

Chairperson of Bellewstown Environmental Protection Group Richard Martin said "deeply concerned" at the recent planning application.

He said the planned massive scale expansion of quarrying operations by Kilsaran would have "huge implications and ramifications" not just for the Bellewstown area but for an extended area from Duleek to Julianstown and would cause significant traffic congestion problems due to the concentration of truck movements, in close proximity to schools, businesses and residential homes, adding that the approach road R150 already has pinch points at Duleek and Julianstown.

Mr Martin said it was "inconceivable to contemplate the negative long term consequences for the community there should this level of expansion to a mega quarry scale proceed as planned".