Council turn down quarry plan

Cavan County Council has refused planning permission for the re-opening and expansion of a disused quarry at Mullahoran and Lisnatinny, Kilcogy. The application made by Sean Harton to the local authority planning department was turned down on five grounds.
The planning department pointed to the lack of sight lines for vehicles accessing the site, which it said, would endanger public safety. The local authority also pointed to the discharge of water from the quarry into a local stream, which could have an adverse effects on the environment.
The other considerations in the council's decision were the quarry's effect on environmentally sensitive sites; its close proximity to properties including residences, the church, graveyard, and local school; and that it would have a significant effect on the environment and require an Environment Impact Assessment.
The application was for the extraction of rock by modern blasting and hammering techniques, on site processing and an associated mobile processing plant. Permission was also sought for a new access road and entrance onto the R394.
The proposed development is in the townland of Mullahoran 7.5km from Granard and 10km from Ballinagh. The church buildings, graveyard and car parking area are adjacent to the northern site boundary. The national school is 250 metres away from the site; while the local GAA club is 500 metres away.
There were 35 submissions made to the planning department on the application. They included one from the Mullahoran and Loughduff Pastoral Council, Mullahoran GFC and Mullahoran Central School and the Parents Association.

 

Decision welcomed
Killian Smith lives in close proximity to the proposed quarry and was one of the residents who lodged an objection. “This decision is very much welcomed by myself and the members of Mullahoran Action Group. We felt that the environmental impact would have been too much. There was also a lack of consultation with the people in the area on the application,” he told the Celt.
Killian is also a member of the Parish Council: “We are delighted with this decision. There were huge concerns with regards to how close it is to the church. The majority of people are delighted.”

 

Planning history
This is the second unsuccessful application for the quarry since it closed in the late 1980s.
The quarry was the subject of a planning application to the council in 1999 when P&S Plant Hire Ltd sought to re-open it; however that was withdrawn in February 2000.

 

Appeal
The agent for the applicant, Boylan Engineering of Mullagh, has been asked for a comment in relation to the refusal but has, as yet, not responded.
The applicant may appeal the council's decision to An Bord Pleanála.