Dismay as company granted permission for large quarry in Slieve Blooms

A major company has been granted planning permission to extract 800,000 tonnes of sand and gravel from a site in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, causing dismay to many people living in the locality.

Breedon Materials Limited (trading as Breedon Ireland) has been granted a ten year licence to extract sand and gravel from a 20 acre site in the townlands of Mounthall and Cummer in Camross in the Slieve Blooms. Breedon Ireland is affiliated to Breedon Group plc which is a British construction materials company which has its headquarters in Leicestershire, England.

Laois County Council approved the plans subject to 17 conditions. The quarry can now be used for 10 years on condition it is restored after ten years of use.The planning permission was granted despite being opposed by a number of local groups including the Slieve Bloom Association, Camross Tidy Towns, Paddock National School, Mountrath Scout Group and Ballyfin CDA. In all, the planning application attracted over 60 submissions, many of them opposing the development.

The application site is located within the townlands of Mounthall and Cummer, Camross, County Laois, three and a half kilometres from the Laois / Offaly county border on the southeastern flanks of the Slieve Bloom mountains; three kilometres north of Camross village; 9km northwest of Mountrath.

Paddock National School was one of the many opposing submissions lodged with the Planning Department in Laois County Council. The school said it's worried because it's located on the haulage route and it's proposed to transport 80,000 tonnes of material each year. “Our school community,” they stated, “has specific objections to a proposed sand and gravel pit due to concerns about the well-being of our students, staff, and the surrounding educational environment.”

Cllr James Kelly from Mountrath argued that the local road network was not capable of taking such heavy traffic. He said the minor roads would not be suitable for a minimum total of 24 daily Heavy Goods Vehicle trips and 12 daily Light Vehicle trips. “The Local Authority would have to invest heavily on upgrading the local road network and the LCC Budget 2025 has not allowed for these works,” he remarked. He also pointed out that in the Cummer/Mounthall townlands Camross “there are a number of local residents who are in close proximity to the proposed site and none more so than an 84 year old Mother who resides with her 52 year old disabled daughter and their house will be only 72 metres away from the proposed works.” He said they will be subjected to visual intrusion, noise, disturbance, dust, heavy goods vehicles and smell. “The Glendine Road leading up to the JJ Fanning Pass is in constant use by pedestrians, hill climbers, cyclists, tourists, scout groups and motorhomes. I object to the addition of all extra vehicles using the proposed application as it will definitely lead to road safety issues in a very rural area. There is a need to safeguard our valuable resources such as the Slieve Bloom Mountains, good farmland and mineral resources such as water etc. This proposed development will compromise these resources.”

A submission from An Taisce pointed out that the site is in close proximity to the Slieve Bloom Mountains Special Protection Area where the Hen Harrier species is a special conservation interest. "This site is considered to be one of the national strongholds for the Hen Harrier, and of particular significance with regard to the subject proposal is that the species is known to forage up to 5 kilometres from nest sites, which may extend their activity beyond the strictly delineated functional area of the Special Protection Area. Given that the proposed extraction area of 20 acres overlays native hedgerows, naturally regenerating scrub and emerging broadleaved woodland, the Hen Harrier and other ground-dwelling bird species could utilise this area as potential habitat and for breeding, foraging and nesting purposes.”

Another submission pointed out that 21 residences reside within 500m of the subject site, and 29 residents are located between 500m and 1km away. “Therefore, it is important that noise associated with extraction and processing activity is appropriately assessed to ensure the absence of adverse impacts upon nearby residents.”

Slieve Bloom Outdoors, objected “in the strongest possible terms” to the proposed continued use and extension to the existing sand and gravel pit. “The proposed quarry poses a risk to the local ecosystem. Disturbances from machinery, noise pollution, and potential contamination of local waterways could irreparably harm the biodiversity that this region supports.” Slieve Bloom Outdoors said the visual impact will be significant. “The quarry's operations would mar the stunning landscape, affecting not only the immediate environment but also the views enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. This area is a popular destination for hiking and nature appreciation, and the visual degradation would diminish its natural charm and attractiveness.” Slieve Bloom Outdoors also pointed out that comments like "indirect employment" suggest the development will provide little to no benefit to the locality. “Instead of pursuing quarry operations, I urge the planning authority to consider alternative solutions for material sourcing that do not compromise our environment. In conclusion, I urge the planning authority to reject this application.”

Another submission expressed grave concerns about the risks posed by heavy goods vehicles and the release of hazardous silica dust. The submission pointed out that the narrow rural roads, particularly the L10317 and L1031, are unsuitable for heavy quarry traffic. “Residents of Glendine, and the surrounding rural communities, already share these roads with a large amount of tractors and farming machinery.”

A submission from two health care workers (who are husband and wife) said they are alarmed at what is being proposed “given that there is a large elderly population there. With the increased traffic to and from the site it will cause extra problems for us having to reach our clients on tight deadlines. Doctors, Ambulances and home carers will have to try to get to our patients/ clients as quickly and safely as possible in an already over trafficked narrow mountain road system. We have had to install dash-cams on all our vehicles due to the near misses and accidents we have had already on these roads. Some parts of the road aren't even passable for two cars let alone trucks.” One of the health care workers pointed out that “the peace and tranquillity of the area is very special particularly during a tough grieving period after my father died. I found great solace and a time to grieve privately in a silence that only a forest can give you like nowhere else. The silence and beauty of this natural space allowed me that time to heal and repair my grieving mental state. As a healthcare professional working in mental health I know there are few places that can provide this level of serenity. I have met so many people who spend their free time here just for mindfulness as well as exercise. To lose such an irreplaceable sanctuary would be horrific to all these people and future visitors in a time where you are advocating mental health wellbeing. We strongly oppose this on so many other levels too: dust, noise, disruption to the environment and wildlife in the area. Please reconsider this disruptive negative to our beautiful Slieve Bloom Mountains.”

One submission said the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and associated hydrological assessments “are both factually inaccurate and materially incomplete.”

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