• The landscape continues to be blighted by the extractive industry (Quarries).        

It should be noted that aggregates are finite in nature. In the space of a couple of generations, we have as a nation exhausted much of the residual resources of sand and gravel. In many parts of the world this is now a very scares commodity and dredging of estuaries is now commonplace with our neighbors in the United Kingdom where a tax on aggregates has even been imposed to conserve what little reserves are left. Moreover it is essential that many features within the landscape such as eskers and drumlins should be conserved. It should be borne in mind that modern quarry developments of the 2020’s are very different to the developments of the 1920’s or even the 1960’s when aggregates were originally removed in very small quantities by way of Horse and Cart and later by modest trucks. Nowadays, large multi axial and articulate trucks are commonplace in the quarry sector. These are capable of removing very large quantities of material in any given day or week. Having regard to the finite nature of aggregates therefore, it is recommended this and other applications be subjected to the utmost of scrutiny.

Has an audit of sand and gravel deposits been conducted in this and other counties? If not, it is recommended that this be conducted and the information used to more properly inform on any decision.

Has an audit of aggregates (limestone rock) reserves been conducted in this and other counties? If not, it is recommended that this be conducted and the information used to more properly inform on any decision.

Has a full SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) analysis been conducted? The SEA Directive provides that Programs / Plans / Projects should be conducted as a whole and not in isolation. Therefore it is essential that all related extractive applications in this and other counties be examined as part of the broader mix. Has Directive 2001/42/EC been complied with?

Has a Natura Impact Assessment / Appropriate Assessment being submitted with this application? If not, please address this issue. Conversely, if one has been submitted, please establish its adequacy and whether this application in compliance with EU Directives including Directive 92/43/EEC?

Please establish whether the proposal compatible with the European Landscape Convention? The UK and Ireland ratified the convention and it became binding on 1st March 2007.

Security lighting has become a major issue with nighttime lighting being completely unacceptable. There are numerous instances of excessive nighttime lighting by this and other operators. Dark sky’s are essential for a vibrant nighttime habitat. In fact it is difficult to reconcile the applicants language for ‘beneficial agricultural and ecological after-uses’ with their penchant for erecting inappropriate LED type lighting around many of its other operations.

Note that truck movements give rise to considerable nuisance for a local community. Large numbers of trucks from a busy quarry make walking or cycling all but impossible while local motorists find trucks to be very challenging on narrow country roads. They are also very difficult to drive behind in wet conditions as they throw up a lot of dirty water. Moreover the roads become coated in a film of dust, which manifests itself in the form of dirty cars in the winter months, and dust in the summer months. Fugitive dust continues to be problematic for neighbors of these types of developments.

Furthermore, monitoring has been left up to the operators of quarries in a form of self-policing. This has proved to be most unsatisfactory. It is imperative that all monitoring be conducted by statutory agencies.