This article is from page 4 of the 2009-10-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
THE proposed expansion of a west Clare quarry, to include blasting and mobile crushing has met with strong opposition from local people.
N Joseph Daniel and Martin O’Gorman have applied for planning permission to amend a condition 1m- posed on the operation of the quarry at Aylevarroo, Kilrush, which would allow blasting and the use of mobile crushing and screening plant within
the 2.88 hectares of the quarry.
To date three submissions objecting to the proposal have been submitted to Clare County Council, with more expected.
Local resident Gerry Mackle raised concerns about how the proposed development would impact on the health, homes and quality of life of the local people. He said that the pre- vailing southwest wind would carry dust towards the 18 houses to the north east of the quarry.
‘We would not be able to put clothes on the line or open windows.”
Mr Mackle also raised concerns about the impact such work would have on people with bronchial and respiratory conditions.
The quarry is adjacent to many fa- cilities used by the people of Kilrush, including swimmers, walkers, and fishermen, he explained.
“There is no civilised country in the world that would destroy a beauty spot with a quarry,’ said Mr Mackle.
Kilrush town councillor Paul Mo- roney (Ind) said that the quarry has been in use since the 1960s but there was no blasting associated with it. He said he was completely opposed to this proposal.
The greatest concern for the local people is the noise, vibrations and dust associated with blasting, crush- ing and screening on site, explained the Independent councillor.
“It is a beautiful area. Such a pro- posal would take away from the look of the area forever,” he said.
‘My concern is that the quarry 1s right on the side of the road. This is a Sli na Slainte walk, promoted by the council, and people go for a walk here regularly.”
The councillor also raised concerns about the amount of machinery and heavy goods vehicles that would also be accessing the quarry if permis- sion was granted.
He maintains the local infrastruc- ture was not built to support such industrial use, and that all access to the quarry would be through a resi- CCSneE Ue busrb
A previous attempt to secure sim1i- lar planning permission at this site was refused by Clare County Coun- cil and An Bord Pleanala.