2250933

(1) DEMOLITION OF EXISTING CONCRETE STRUCTURE (2) QUARRYING OF 5.37 HECTARES WHICH WILL BE SUBJECT TO EXTRACTION AND PROCESSING OF ROCK THROUGH DRILLING, BLASTING, CRUSHING AND SCREENING (3) CONSTRUCTION OF (A) SETTLEMENT PONDS AND WETLAND (B) A SHED FOR THE PURPOSES OF STORAGE FOR THE FACILITY INCLUDING ON-SITE MACHINERY MAINTENANCE (C) SITE OFFICE WITH CANTEEN, TOILET & DRYING FACILITIES (4) INSTALLATION OF A WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM & PERCOLATION AREA (5) PROVISION OF A WHEEL WASH AND WEIGHBRIDGE (6) LANDSCAPING OF THE QUARRY DURING THE OPERATIONAL PHASE AND RESTORATION OF THE QUARRY ON COMPLETION OF EXTRACTION (7) ALL ASSOCIATED ANCILLARY FACILITIES / WORKS OVER A 25 YEAR PERIOD. AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT (EIAR) & NATURA IMPACT STATEMENT (NIS) ACCOMPANIES THIS APPLICATION

Granted

Core Planning Reasoning

The Inspector recommended a grant of permission subject to conditions, but limited the duration to 12 years (covering Phases 1 and 2 only) rather than the 25 years requested, to ensure environmental standards can be reviewed in the future.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The proposal is acceptable in principle from a land use perspective given the historic precedent for quarrying on the site and national policy recognizing aggregates as a vital resource.
  • Environmental impacts regarding noise, dust, vibration, biodiversity, and water quality are capable of being satisfactorily mitigated through the implementation of an Environmental Management System and specific physical measures such as settlement lagoons and berms.
  • A restricted 12-year permission for Phases 1 and 2 is appropriate to enable the Planning Authority to periodically review the development against updated environmental standards and technology.

Cited Policies (CDP)

EX-P-1EX-P-2EX-P-3EX-P-4EX-P-5EX-P-6L-P-2EX-O-1G-P-1ED-P-14Policy L-P-2

Decision Document Summary

The applicant sought a 25-year permission for the demolition of a concrete structure and the quarrying of 5.37 hectares (extracting approximately 2.75 million tonnes of rock) at a site near Raphoe, Co. Donegal. The site contains a dormant quarry abandoned in the 1980s and is located within the Laggan Valley, an area of high scenic amenity. Key concerns raised by third parties included HCV traffic through Raphoe's narrow streets, the impact on the local tourism industry (specifically Oakfield Par...
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