Plans for asphalt plant near Burnfoot rejected by An Bord Pleanála

Plans to build an asphalt plant near Burnfoot that were given the go-ahead by Donegal County Council despite major opposition from the local community have been rejected on appeal by An Bord Pleanála.

Moyle Plant Limited was granted planning permission in May 2021 for the development at Gortnaskea, Burnfoot on land adjacent to an established concrete block batching plant and adjoining active and disused quarries. 

Directors of Moyle Plant Limited were listed with the application as Anthony and Bridie Cassidy, Buncrana.

The site, about 4km from Burnfoot, was previously part of Barr’s quarry.

A campaign group, South Inishowen Against Asphalt Plant, was set up in opposition to the proposals and an online petition received almost 2,000 signatures.

The council granted planning permission subject to 12 conditions after a total of 128 people made 154 submissions. Objections lodged expressed concerns about the potential health and environmental impacts of the plant.

Planners had ruled the development would "not unduly injure” amenities in the area, and would not be prejudicial to public health nor endanger public safety.

The council stated that the proposed development "would generate a degree of employment in the area" and that asphalt factories are necessary to supply road improvement and new road construction.

The applicant stated that at a peak up to 62 heavy articulated trucks would use the site on any given day.

Nine appeals were lodged against the decision.

Among the objections raised were concerns about the visual impact and the effect on residents including harmful and toxic emissions, airborne pollutants, increased HGV traffic, increased noise and dust, pollution of groundwater, impact on farmers and livestock, a threat to drinking supplies, impact on local wildlife and a significant drop in property prices.

In its decision, An Bord Peanála said "insufficient information" had been provided by the applicant on the extent and nature of material that would be dumped on the site and the potential impacts on the Lough Swilly special area of conservation and special protection area.

The potential impact of emissions from the development on the two areas had not been assessed, the board said.

An Bord Pleanála said it was not satisfied that the development itself, or in combination with other projects or plans, would not adversely impact the protected sites as well as the Lough Foyle special protection area.

The board also ruled that the need for the development to be in that specific site had not been demonstrated, nor that it would make "a significant contribution" to Donegal's economy and would be contrary to the county development plan and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The decision also stated the board was not satisfied that the development would not contribute to "a pattern of excessive noise levels" at nearby homes.