KEOHANE Readymix has been granted planning permission to develop a 3.5 hectare quarry at Knockroe outside of Innishannon.

The permission is for an operational period 15 years, with a two year restoration phase.

The permission was granted by Cork County Council in early February, against a backdrop of around 50 submissions including opposition from the Cork Southwest Green Party Local Group, the Bandon Environmental Group, and the Enniskeane-based Environmental Forum CLG.

The company employs about 120 people in Cork, and has been in operation for over 40 years.

This development is expected to provide employment for two people during the construction stage, and one person during extraction.

The site is bounded by woodland and local roads, with the Bandon River nearby.

The application documents say that working hours will be limited to 9am to 5pm, and the development will involve extraction of sand and gravel two metres above the groundwater level.

The end purpose of the sand and gravel is for concrete production at Dromkeen Pit, less than a kilometre away.

Application documents make the point that were the site not developed, Keohane’s would have to ‘source sand and gravel from another site at considerably greater distances’ from Dromkeen Pit.

Many of those who made submissions pointed to the perceived disruption to the planned Bandon-Kinsale Blueway, as well as concerns for wildlife and biodiversity, fears for local water quality, and the increase in traffic on what is a narrow, local road.

The annual extraction rate is considered to be low by the company, a maximum of 100,000 tonnes per year meaning one or two HGV trips per hour, but at least one resident pointed out that the narrow local road currently has very low HGV usage at all, and another claimed that a new quarry would add Innishannon’s notorious traffic congestion.

As part of the council’s conditions, an environmental monitoring report is to be submitted every three months, and groundwater monitoring is also demanded ever three months after the initial phase, but the company can apply to have this frequency amended after two years.

As a measure against potential water pollution, all water that is likely to be contaminated needs to be discharged via suitable equipment and subject to inspections every six months.

A special contribution of €90,000 is to be paid to Cork County Council before development begins.

Objections were received from the Green Spaces for Health group supported by the Cork River Alliance Group, the Innishannon House Hotel, and the director of the Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre, who urged the council to consider the ‘public asset’ of the adjacent stretch of the Bandon river as a ‘of immense environmental, educational, and recreational value.’

Many of those objecting pointed to the tranquillity and peace of the area for its artistic and recreational benefits, and a letter was included by representatives of L’Arche Community Cork, whose members take part in social farming and therapeutic activities along the Bandon River at Shippool Cottage.

They expressed their pleasure using the area, particular as people with autism are ‘especially affected by noise and a peaceful environment is very important for their well-being’.

The Environmental Forum CLG claimed that the ecological surveys submitted were ‘wholly inadequate’, and put the onus on the council, that it has ‘targets and commitments with regard to climate and biodiversity that it needs to consider alongside economic activities.’

Planning was originally sought in April 2025, and granted in early February this year.