Fine Gael Kildare South TD and Minister of State has said that local residents were shocked and disappointed last Friday to receive the order from An Bord Pleanala granting planning permission to Kilsaran Concrete for a 32 hectares quarry development at Racefield near Ballyshannon south of Kilcullen and close to the village of Calverstown.
“Local residents have expressed their concerns to me in relation to the impact that such a development would have on the local road network system as well as the local environment. They’re finding it very difficult to understand how this decision to extract approximately 3 million tonnes of sand and gravel will not have an impact on the locality with Ballyshannon School only 1.5km away from the proposed quarry development.”
Minister Heydon continued “Other lands have been purchased in the area and there is much concern that if quarrying commences in this location it will set a precedence and open up the area to more such applications.”
“It is important that we now get the full inspectors report which should be published this week as the order states An Bord Pleanala has made the decision to overturn Kildare County Council’s initial refusal against the advice of the Boards own inspector.
“I have consulted with many local residents over recent days as well as members of the Ballyshannon Local Community Group who are currently seeking legal advice on the matter. Both I and local Cllr. Ivan Keatley will continue to work closely with them.” Minister Heydon concluded.