Extension of Kilronane sand and gravel quarry – dry and wet workings

Challenge

A detailed Planning Application and supporting Environmental Impact Statement was submitted to Cork County Council for a planned extension of c8.5 hectares to an established sand and gravel pit near Dunmanway in West Cork.

The planning application also provided for; part extraction to 4m below groundwater level / dry working extraction level; continued use of the existing processing plant, staff welfare facilities and fuel / storage area; construction of ancillary site infrastructure and provision of screening berms, overburden storage area, tree planting and landscaping works around the perimeter of the proposed extension area; and long term restoration of the quarry to agricultural grazing land and water based nature conservation.

Solution

SLR provided assistance to Keohance Readymix in addressing compliance issues arising from the quarry registration process under Section 261 of the Planning Act (2000). We subsequently prepared and lodged a planning application providing for a significant quarry extension, enhancement of existing operations and long term restoration works.

Impact

The planning application was lodged with Cork County Council in late April 2009 and following submission of additional information in November 2009 in respect of archaeological and architectural heritage, the final grant of planning permission was issued by the Local Authority in early February 2010 (approximately 9 months after the initial application date).

SLR also provided further assistance to the company in 2012 in addressing issues raised by the quarry review process initiated by Cork County Council under Section 261(A) of the Planning Act.