2460603
for development at the existing Ballyquin Quarry. The development will consist of: (i) The extraction of sand from an area of approximately 16.3 hectares within an overall site area of 97.5 hectares; (ii) The infill and restoration of existing and future quarry voids (38 hectares) using inert soil and stone waste (imported inert greenfield and non-greenfield soils and stone, and river dredge spoil) which will be a soil recovery facility and require a waste management licence or soil and stone by-product (i.e. essentially virgin soil or equivalent to virgin soil and stone, and river dredge spoil) which will be notified to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an Article 27 by-product; (iii) The upgrade of existing quarry infrastructure including site office, weigh bridge, wheelwash, and welfare facilities; (iv) Refuelling area and associated drainage works, comprising 1 No. concrete hardstand area, hydrocarbon interceptor, wetland, inspection chamber and soakaway; (v) 1 No. soil inspection shed (c.875q. m) for the inspection of soil material; (vi) Erection of washplant; (vii) Settlement ponds; (viii) Landscape berms and fencing; (ix) All associated ancillary works. Site access is via the existing entrance off the R466. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in respect of the proposed development. Should the inert soil, stone and inert dredge spoil materials be deemed to be a waste, then a Waste Management Licence will be required under Part 5 of the Waste Management Act 1996 (as amended) and an application for a Waste Management Licence will be made to the EPA following a grant of planning permission for the proposed development.
Core Refusal Reason
The application was deemed fundamentally deficient due to a lack of robust scientific assessment regarding cumulative environmental impacts with the Fahybeg Windfarm, inadequate hydrogeological data concerning a locally important aquifer, and insufficient mitigation for protected bird species.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) are highly deficient in assessing cumulative and in-combination effects with other large-scale developments, specifically the permitted Fahybeg Windfarm.
- The proposal contains conflicting information regarding extraction depths and fails to adequately assess the potential for significant impacts on the locally important gravel aquifer and the local water table.
- Proposed mitigation measures for protected species, specifically the Barn Owl and Sand Martin, are considered inadequate and unlikely to be successful, with required NPWS derogation licenses missing from the application.