Opponents of a proposed Readymix quarry near Cahir, Co Tipperary, claim it would devastate a scenic area, threaten tourism and damage local residents' quality of life.
About 200 people attended a public meeting last week at which a group was set up to campaign against the proposed quarry at Knockane, between the Galtee and Knockmealdown mountains.
Readymix, however, says the facility would be "quite small" relative to other quarries and would be operated to the highest environmental standards. It has applied to Tipperary South County Council for planning permission.
Facilities including a mobile crushing and screening plant, weighbridge and wheelwash, shipping office and staff facilities are envisaged on an overall site of almost 22 acres. Quarrying would be carried out over 12 acres within the site.
Opponents of the development say the site lies within a listed view of the county development plan and encompasses a hill in prime agricultural land in the Golden Vale. It is just four miles from the Mitchelstown Caves and within the same bedrock.
The secretary of the group set up at last week's meeting, Ms Cliona Ryan, claims the effects of blasting and vibrations in this bedrock cannot be predicted. "What we do know for certain is that the four families living within 260 metres [of the quarry site] will have to leave their homes due to noise and dust."
Others to voice opposition to the proposal included a number of local councillors and Ms Jacqueline Mullen, managing director of the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, where the meeting was held.
She could not believe, she said, that the county council "could even consider giving Readymix permission to ruin this beautiful area".
A spokesman for the company said planning permission for a similar facility on the same site had been granted to a different applicant in 1991, but had lapsed as the developer did not go ahead.
Quarries were needed, he pointed out, for products used to build houses, schools, drainage schemes and roads - "the very fabric of life".
Questions were being asked, he said, about our ability to deliver on the infrastructural targets of the National Development Plan and new facilities such as this proposed quarry were needed.
Readymix had a good track record in operating quarries to the highest standards, such as the one opened in Rathmolyon, near Enfield, Co Meath, last year.
Quarries had had a bad reputation in the past but were now subject to stringent environmental requirements.
He expected the specific concerns of residents of the Knockane area to be addressed by the county council and, in the event of an appeal, by An Bord Pleanala.
Contact number
Chris Dooley can be contacted through 01670 7711, ext 6298 or by e-mail at cdooley@irish-times.ie
