An Bord Pleanála Inspector’s Report PL 07. 235821 Development Description: Continuation of quarrying and operation of concrete batching and bitumen plant (previous reg. ref. 06/4125) Address: Barretts Park, Oranmore, Co. Galway Planning Application Planning Authority: Galway County Council Planning Authority Reg. Ref.: 09/1958 Applicant: Coshla Quarries Type of Application: Continuation of Permission Planning Authority Decision: Grant Planning Appeal Appellant: (1) Gerry and Edel Keane (2) Brendan Dowling (3) Cllr. Jim Cuddy Type of Appeal: Multiple Third Parties Observers: Anthony Greaney Date of Site Inspection: 6/5/10 Inspector: Louise Kiernan Appendices: Appendix 1:Site Context Map Appendix 2:Key map & associated photos Appendix 3: Development Plan Extracts Appendix 4: M6 Motorway to south of site PL 07. 235821 An Bord Pleanála Page 1 of 35 1.0 SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION The subject site is located in Barretts Park, Oranmore, in Co. Galway (see appendix 1: site context map). The site is situated approximately 9 km to the west of the town of Athenry, and 6 km to the northeast of Oranmore, east of Galway City. The site is located south of the R339 (Galway –Monivea) Road. Access to the quarry is gained from a local 3 rd class road, the L7109, commonly referred to as the ‘Coshla Road’, which branches off the R339. This local road also serves the ESB substation, C & F Tooling and a number of rural houses and farm builings, in addition to the subject quarry. At both sides of the R339 junction, there are detached bungalow dwellings, whilst there is no development on its northern side. There are no paths, cycle lanes or pedestrian refuges on this regional route or on the Coshla Road itself. Access off the Coshla Road is in turn gained via an access road serving solely the quarry which is approximately 1 km in length. Immediately adjacent to said site entrance along the Coshla Road on the opposite side of the road, is a tooling business, C & F tooling, which has recently been granted permission for a 70,000 sq.m. extension (reg. reg. 09/386). An ESB substation is located to the northeast of the quarry. The surrounding area is predominantly rural with a scattering of one-off houses. There are approximately 4 houses within 500m of the quarry and a substantial number of other dwelling houses along the 1.5km access road from the R339. There is a dwelling located immediately to the south, but this has been indicated as being unoccupied and in the ownership of Coshla Quarries Ltd. The site is located approximately 170 metres to the north of the M6 motorway (see appendix 4). The existing quarry which has a total area of 27.5 ha. and an extraction area of 13 ha. was established to service the construction of the M6 Ballinasloe-Galway section of the motorway, the line of which is situated approximately 170 metres to the south of the quarry. In the past a temporary access haul road had been constructed linking the southwestern corner of the quarry with the N6 construction site. However this haul road is no longer in existence. The site and surrounding area are further documented in the key map and associated photos (appendix 2). 2.0 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT The proposed development comprises of permission to continue quarrying with associated roads and ancillary services and to operate a concrete batching plant and a bitumen batching plant within the quarry. It is indicated that the 13-hectare extraction area and the 27.5-hectare site boundary remains identical to that outlined in the existing quarry planning permission of Coshla Quarries Ltd (06/4125). The types of material being extracted are limestone gravels and rock. It is indicated on the application submitted that the date which quarrying commenced on the land was October 2007. It is also indicated in the application form submitted that the traffic generated by the operation of the quarry is 400 two-way movements. The development employs a maximum of 12 permanent staff, with an additional 40 people involved in site collection and delivery, however it is indicated that this number fluctuates with demand and supply. An Environmental Impact Statement has been submitted as part of the application. PL 07. 235821 An Bord Pleanála Page 2 of 35 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT The Environmental Impact Statement submitted as part of this application included the quarry operation and all the ancillary activities as they presently stand. The Environmental Assessments previously associated with the asphalt plant, concrete plant and machinery maintenance shed are also resubmitted as part of this application. The EIS submitted with the planning application was prepared in accordance with Part X of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. The impact of the proposed development was assessed under all the relevant headings with respect to human environment; traffic; ecology; soils, geology and hydrogeology; water; air quality; noise; climatic factors; landscape and visual; material assets; cultural heritage; and the interaction of the foregoing. Apart from the consideration of alternatives, which is absent, the content and scope of the EIS is considered to be reasonably acceptable and in compliance with Planning Regulations. 4.0 REPORTS An Taisce • There are continuing complaints by local residents on lack of planning compliance, operating hours and the unauthorised construction of the tarmacadem plant. • Questions why it is allowed to continue with a retention application in breach of the EIA Directive. NRA • The Authority will rely on Galway County Council to abide by national policy in relation to frontage development on national roads as outlined in Circular Letter 6/2006. Roads ‘This quarry was given a licence for a 5 year period to satisfy the construction requirements of the nearby M6. The construction works are now completed on the M6 and I recommend that the quarry be rehabilitated back to its original condition. I recommend refusal of the development as the local road infrastructure is not adequate to cope with the level of traffic as generated by the quarry and evidenced on the existing road destruction’. 5.0 DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND NATIONAL POLICY Galway County Development Plan 2009-2015 The site is located in an area designated as Landscape Sensitivity Class 1 ‘Low Sensitivity’ and a Landscape Value Rating of low. The site is located within an area designated as (Rkc) Regionally Important, conduit karst aquifer, development potential limited. The area is undrained by any important river. The site is located within the GTPS. The site is located within 500 metres of a proposed NRA Route. The proposal is within the zone of influence of Galway Airport and all buildings, structures, erections and works exceeding 45m are subject to development controls. The following policies and objectives also apply to the subject site (appendix 3): - Section 4.6 Extractive Development PL 07. 235821 An Bord Pleanála Page 3 of 35 4.6.1 Extractive Development Policies 4.6.2 Extractive Development Objectives DM Standard 35: Extractive Development Quarries And Ancillary Activities - Guidelines For Planning Authorities (DEHLG 2004) –The environmental implications of quarries are discussed under the headings noise and vibration, dust deposition/air quality, water supplies and groundwater, natural heritage, landscape, traffic impact, cultural heritage and waste management. Under each heading, best practice/possible mitigation measures are suggested. Possible planning conditions are proposed. The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities, DoEHLG & OPW 2009 These Guidelines introduce comprehensive mechanisms for the incorporation of flood risk identification assessment and management into the planning process. 6.0 PLANNING HISTORY 98/375 - permission refused to reopen quarry for rock excavation and removal from site and access to public road at Barretts Park for the following reason: - 1. ‘The site proposed to be developed is located in a rural environment predominantly in agricultural use but with a mix of residential properties along the narrow unrealigned local road serving the site. The proposed development because of the nature and volume of traffic that it would generate on roads of inadequate strength and capacity would seriously injure the amenities and depreciate the value of properties in the vicinity’. PL 07.130534 (02/652) - An Bord Pleanála refused permission for the excavation, crushing and haulage of rock and for the development of an access road for the following reasons: - 1. ‘The proposed development is located in an open rural landscape with many residential properties along the proposed access route. The proposed development, by reason of the nature and volume of traffic that it would generate on roads of inadequate strength and design, would seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area. 2. It is considered that the proposed development would generate considerable additional traffic, especially in relation to the junction with the R339, which would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard’. 06/893 – permission was refused for the development of a 13-hectare quarry with associated roads and services for the following reasons: - 1. ‘The proposed development is located in an open rural landscape with many residential properties along the proposed access route. The proposed development, by reason of the nature and volume of traffic which it would PL 07. 235821 An Bord Pleanála Page 4 of 35 generate on roads of inadequate strength and design, would seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area. 2. It is considered that the proposed development would generate considerable additional traffic, especially in relation to the junction with the R339, which would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard.