Controversial quarry in Raphoe to be reopened

The controversial redevelopment of an old quarry on the outskirts of Raphoe has been granted the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála.

The proposed development at a quarry that was previously in operation until the 1970s at Magherasolis & Craigs, Raphoe, was the subject of 22 submissions from local objectors.

Those opposed to the development included Raphoe Community In Action (RCIA), a group representing around 400 homeowners.

However, the planning authority has given the green light to Patrick Bonar for the work.

Mr Bonar sought permission for the demolition of existing concrete structure and the quarrying of 5.37 hectares which will be subject to extraction and processing of rock through drilling, blasting, crushing and screening and all associated ancillary facilities/works over a 25 year period. 

Conditional planning permission granted by Donegal County Council was subsequently appealed.

The site in question was previously turned down for permission after possible adverse effects on tributaries of the Foyle and Finn rivers and concerns over ‘an unacceptable risk of environmental pollution’ were cited.

However, the matter came back before An Bord Pleanála and permission has been granted subject to a raft of conditions imposed on the developer.

The planning body said that it considered the proposal to be “acceptable in principle from a land use perspective.”

The decision said: “The environmental impacts of the proposal in terms of noise, dust and vibration levels within the surrounding area would be capable of being satisfactorily mitigated, thereby safeguarding the amenities of the area.”

It said landscape and visual impacts would be mitigated by the provision of berms and tree planting within the site and traffic generated would, subject to road improvements, be capable of being accommodated satisfactorily on the public road network.

The Board outlined that the main significant direct and indirect effects of the proposed development would be mitigated by the employment afford by the proposal.

The Board also said that the adverse affecting of biodiversity would be mitigated, as would the affect on surface and groundwater. 

While the proposed development would generate noise and dust and, occasionally, blasting vibrations, these could be mitigated by “good management and maintenance practices and the adoption of best practice methodologies”.

Acknowledging that the development would mean the loss of bedrock from the site, the Board said it also had to weigh that against the need to supply the construction industry with aggregates in line with national and local planning policies.

The Board has laid down 31 conditions, including that the annual output of materials does not exceed 110,000 tonnes with records of output to be kept and submitted annually to the Planning Authority.

Excavation is to go go below 119 metres while the quarry will only be permitted to operated between 8am and 6pm Monday-Friday, between 8am-2pm on Saturdays and not at all on Sundays or public holidays. Blasting will only be permitted between 12-4pm Monday-Friday and 24-hour notice is to be given prior to the firing of any blast. 

An Environmental Management System (EMS) must be developed and an archaeologist is to carry out a pre-development test at the site. 

The Board instructs the implementation of all mitigation measures contained in submissions and says all loads of materials are to be either sprayed or covered before exiting the quarry while vehicle wheels and undersides are also to be washed before exiting. 

In a lengthy document, the RCIA group hadc expressed concerns over the development. 

They say the applicant has stated that there were no pre-planning meetings, but point to a written submission in which it is said that there was a meeting with three officials who are employed in the administration of planning. 

“Despite the meetings held between the Applicant and official/officers of Donegal County Council planning department, the council has no record of same which is contrary to S.247 [5] of the Planning & Development Act 2000 which obliges a planning authority to keep a written record of such consultations,” RCIA wrote.

“Keeping secret, meetings and consultations with prospective applicants for planning permission, is anathema to the word and spirit of the Ethics Acts. It is vital that the public know what was said to the Applicant at those consultations and what advice he may have been given.”

Another submission by Lady Heather Robinson of Oakfield Park said that the development would be ‘catastrophic’ for the area.

Lady Robinson implored decision makers to: “Take account of the local distress caused by this application and will do all it can to preserve the long term integrity and tranquillity of this beautiful heritage town over and above any short term financial incentives.”

In making its decision, An Bord Pleanála said it hard regard to the National Planning Framework; the Quarries and Ancillary Activities, Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2004); The Donegal County Development Plan 2024-2030; and the planning history of the site.