Thumbs down for proposed quarry extracting 200,000 tons of sand in Offaly

An application for a ''small quarry'' involving the extraction of 200,000 tons of sand and gravel has been refused permission by An Bord Pleanala.

The proposed quarry was to be located at Esker More, Mount Lucas, Tullamore.

Offaly County Council had refused permission for the development in August 2022. Figile, the company behind the venture, appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

The proposed 3.2ha site is 8km east of Daingean and 10km south west of Edenderry.

Figile said that following the extraction the site would be restored to agricultural use including the importation of inert soil and subject to a waste management facility permit.

An Taisce submitted that the description of ''small'' in relation to the quarry was ''not justified.'' It stated, ''once established it will be used to justify further expansion. While under the 5ha threshold, the cumulative impact requires assessment.''

In reaching its decision the Board took into consideration the 2021-2027 policy of Offaly County Council in relation to places of high amenity which is to protect and preserve the county's areas of high amenity, including the Eiscir Riada and other eskers.

It said that the proposed development would materially contravene the council's policy and be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

It also took into consideration the council's policy to ensure that extractions, including quarries and sand and gravel pits, would result in a reduction in the visual amenity of such areas including eskers and should not be permitted.

In addition, the council's objective in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Services, Westmeath County Council, the Geological Survey of Ireland, is to investigate the potential designation of north Offaly esker landscape as a UNESCO Geopark to promote the unique geological heritage of the area. The proposed development would conflict with the achievement of this objective.

Another objective of the council is to improve, where possible, access to esker and geological sites and encourage appreciation of esker and geological heritage.

Finally the Board said that in the absence of sufficient information on the importation of material, an assessment of this aspect of the proposal is not possible, and it cannot be determined that the proposed development would not lead to adverse environmental impacts or impacts on European sites.