LOCALS opposed to a controversial sand and gravel quarry near Innishannon have lodged an appeal to An Coimisiùn Pleanála after Cork County Council granted planning permission.

Keohane Readymix Ltd was given the green light in February to extract sand and gravel on a 3.5 hectare site at Knockroe.

The project, which would run for 15 years and includes a two-year restoration phase, has been met with strong local opposition.

Main area of concern include possible increased HGV traffic, noise, water quality, biodiversity and the impact on the nearby Bandon River.

Bernadette Connolly, of the Enniskeane-based Environmental Forum, says an alternative site should be found and people’s right to a healthy environment should be respected.

‘This is a hot spot for biodiversity and it has very rich wildlife. It looks very convenient to open up an old site rather than trying to find an alternative one. Innishannon has optimised its heritage and is presenting itself very well. This would have an impact,’ she said.

‘It’s not that we are against business but we feel that there needs to be a balance of the type of enterprise that you find in an area. It would also affect  heritage and tourism.’

The application covers dry extraction of sand and gravel from an area of about 3.5 hectares, at a maximum rate of 100,000 tonnes a year.

The material, extracted at two metres above groundwater level, would be transported to the nearby Dromkeen Pit for use in concrete production.

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

The affected landscape is valued locally for recreation, wildlife and tranquillity, and there are concerns over how the operation would impact a planned Bandon-Kinsale Blueway.

Over 50 objections were submitted from residents, businesses and environmental groups such as the Bandon Environmental Group and organisations like Green Spaces for Health following the granting of planning permission by Cork County Council.

In granting planning permission, Cork County Council attached 31 conditions, including noise limits, regular environmental and groundwater monitoring, dust controls and a €90,000 contribution before any work can go ahead.

To prevent potential water pollution, all water that is likely to be contaminated by the operation needs to be discharged via suitable equipment and subject to inspections every six months, the council said.
The planning permission granted also excludes development near a recorded monument, a prehistoric burnt mound.

Archaeologist Ewelina Rondelez, of Rubicon Heritage, carried out an archaeological test trenching programme at the site. ‘Further analysis, such as radiocarbon dating and soil sampling, would provide a more precise chronology and interpretation of this feature.

‘Furthermore the identification of agricultural features, along with furrows, indicates evidence of sustained land use and maintenance,’ she wrote in her excavation report.

If the quarry gets the green light, Keohane Readymix Ltd will have to ensure a 10m buffer zone to protect this archaeological site.

A qualified archaeologist is required to monitor site clearance and groundworks, and any finds must be protected, recorded and reported at the developer’s expense, according to the council condition.

Bandon resident David Wicks, who objected to the original application, said extracting material from the site would pollute the air and water in the area.

‘The Bandon River is a key river for spawning salmon, a species which is already under pressure and in decline. Pollution and disturbance in the river will disrupt salmon as they travel upriver to spawn,’ he outlined in his letter of objection.

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

Keohane Readymix Ltd said they had no comment to make at this stage.