23322

ROCK EXTRACTION FROM AN AREA OF LAND CONSISTING OF 3.6 HECTARES TO A LEVEL OF 54.5 METRES ABOVE ORDNANCE DATUM, RESTORATION OF AREA ON COMPLETION OF EXTRACTION AND ALL ASSOCIATED ANCILLARY FACILITIES/WORKS. ROCK WILL BE EXTRACTED BY MECHANICAL MEANS AND TRANSPORTED TO THE EXISTING MANUFACTURING AREA. THE APPLICANT IS SEEKING A 10-YEAR PLANNING PERMISSION

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The application was refused due to significant unauthorized rock extraction on the applicant's landholding and the failure to provide adequate environmental assessments (EIAR and NIS) to account for cumulative impacts.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • It is considered inappropriate to grant permission for further development while substantial unauthorized rock extraction on the landholding remains unregularised and without an implemented restoration plan.
  • The submitted EIA Screening documentation is deficient as it fails to document the cumulative environmental impacts of the proposal in conjunction with existing unauthorized activities on the site.
  • The Planning Authority is unable to ascertain that the development would not have significant adverse effects on European sites due to an inadequate Appropriate Assessment Screening Report that failed to consider the effects of the unauthorized development.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Chapter 4 Biodiversity and landscape4.6.3 Quarries4.14.1 Landscape SensitivityTable 4.18 Low Sensitivity AreasChapter 5 Economic Development Strategy5.7.8 Aggregates and MineralsREDP-03REDP-19Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy8.6.2 Regional RoutesSMAP-23Chapter 13 Development Management StandardsDMS-112 Quarries and Ancillary Developments

Decision Document Summary

Kilmurray Pre-Cast Concrete Ltd sought a 10-year permission for rock extraction on a 3.6-hectare site at Derryarkin, Rhode, Co. Offaly, to supply an existing manufacturing area. The site is situated within a larger quarrying context where the applicant had previously engaged in substantial unauthorized rock extraction (circa 500,000 tonnes) in breach of a prior sand and gravel permission. Offaly County Council refused the application on the grounds that granting permission would be contrary to p...
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