Dozens of objections lodged against Gleneely quarry plans

Thirty-six objections have been lodged against plans to develop a quarry and concrete batching plant near Gleneely.

James Carey has applied for planning permission for the development of a stone quarry with a mobile stone breaker at Baskill, Gleneely.

The application also seeks the go-ahead for a batching plant with two silos, a conveyor belt, five aggregate hoppers and a weighbridge on a site of more than six acres.

The developer has applied for the change of use of an existing dwelling to an office facility with a small alternation and also the change of use of two domestic sheds to commercial storage.

The deadline for objections to be submitted passed last week.

A previous application, which was ruled as invalid in December, attracted 32 submissions.

The application states that the rationale behind the quarry is to supply local builders, farms and the community with local stone for filling of laneways, driveways and farmyards etc.

The proposed quarry, the application says, would be a “loose stone facility” involving excavation rather than blasting.

The proposed batching plant is for mixing concrete "to serve the local farmers, builders and the community" and involves the importation of bulk cement to add to local sand, stone and water to create concrete.

The proposed development also involves the use of a tracked mobile stonebreaker “similar in size to a car transporte”.

The application states the operation would involve 30 trips to the site per day - 20 by heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs), six by tractor and four by car.

Residents have raised a range of concerns about the development including the impact on road safety due to the increased levels of traffic, including HCVs, and the potential impact on health.

One objection states that the HCVS would make walking on the narrow roads in the area dangerous, especially for school children and the development would require the provision of a footpath.

Concerns have also been raised that the development would be a risk to health due to the fine airborne particles caused by quarrying activity.

The proximity of the proposed development to the Magherdrumman bog and the North Inishowen coastal special area of conservation has also been raised in objections, with concern about the impact of noise, dust, vibrations and environmental pollution on the community and protected wildlife.

Objections say species in the area include nesting buzzards, snip, green hairstreak butterflies, badgers, and hares as well as dragonflies, moths and the rare Irish lady’s Tresses orchid.

One couple said they would be “devastated” if the quarry development goes ahead in “this small rural corner that has been a constant pleasure to live and walk safety in”.

Residents also say there has been a lack of consultation about the project.

Objectors also fear the development has the potential to pollute local water courses, water supplies and fisheries, such as the Carrowmore river which runs into the Culdaff river, a spawning ground for Atlantic salmon.

Objections also point out that the site lies on the same bedrock foundation as a quarry which has been associated with the defective blocks crisis due to the presence of mica and pyrrhotite and call for unequivocal proof that any quarry does not hold any risk of such contamination.

Objectors also are concerned that the lifespan of homes affected by defective concrete blocks would be impacted by the increased volume of HCVs and heavy plant machinery.

Residents fear dust from the quarry would fall upon homes and gardens and are concerned that the “small and twisting” local road is not built to withstand continual use by HCVs and is often used by local farmers to herd sheep.

They also fear the impact on nearby heritage and archaeological sites including the Carrowmore monastic site and the Clonca church and high cross.

The previous application was ruled invalid after the site was inspected on December 22, 2022, and no site notice was erected, meaning the application was deemed not in accordance with the provisions of Article 20 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001.

Donegal County Council is due to make a decision on the application by April 23.