‘Secret meetings’ concerns as Raphoe quarry decision set to be appealed

The proposed redevelopment of a quarry on the outskirts of Raphoe is set to go back before An Bord Pleanála.

Conditional planning permission - which included a total of 22 conditions - was given by Donegal County Council, but an appeal is now set to be lodged with the planning authority.

The council received 22 submissions from local objectors, including one on behalf of Raphoe Community In Action (RCIA), a group representing around 400 homeowners. 

The proposed development at a quarry that was previously in operation until the 1970s at Magherasolis & Craigs, Raphoe, was sought by Patrick Bonar. 

The proposal was for the quarrying, over a 25-year period, of 5.37 hectares, which will be subject to extraction and processing of rock through drilling, blasting, crushing and screening. 

The construction of settlement ponds and wetland are provided for and the construction of a site office with canteen, toilet and drying facilities are also sought.

In August 2021, An Bord Pleanála refused permission, citing possible adverse effects on tributaries of the Foyle and Finn rivers and concerns over ‘an unacceptable risk of environmental pollution’. 

Then, An Bord Pleanála overturned a decision of Donegal County Council to give the green light. 

In a lengthy document, the RCIA group has expressed concerns over the development. 

They say the applicant has stated that there were no pre-planning meetings, but point to a written submission in which it is said that he met with three officials who are employed in the administration of planning. 

“Despite the meetings held between the Applicant and official/officers of Donegal County Council planning department, the council has no record of same which is

contrary to S.247 [5] of the Planning & Development Act 2000 which obliges a planning authority to keep a written record of such consultations,” RCIA wrote.

“The Ethics Acts and its Code of Conduct (applicable to officials in planning authorities] are uncompromising in their demands for honesty, integrity, openness and accountability in dealing with the administration of planning.

“Keeping secret, meetings and consultations with prospective applicants for planning permission, is anathema to the word and spirit of the Ethics Acts.

“It is vital that the public know what was said to the Applicant at those consultations and what advice he may have been given.“

RCIA intends to make representations to Donegal County Council regarding the designation of the Laggan Valley and the town of Raphoe as an area of archaeological potential. 

The submission said: “Given the settlement of this valley since prehistoric times, there can be little doubt that there is significant archaeological potential in this area, including in the vicinity of the site and possibly within the site itself.”

They say that the area ‘is not the right place for quarrying, adding: “Just because there is a small abandoned quarry, abandoned now for two generations, on the site, is absolutely no reason for this proposal - on a grander scale in terms of area, of quarrying operations along with the working paraphernalia proposed - to be granted permission. 

“A lot has changed since the County Council abandoned their quarry on this site in the 1970's in terms of environmental and landscape protection, as well as community and public awareness of their place in the county and of their rights.”

A large number of people also voiced their concerns in written submissions to the council. 

William Street residents Jim and Fionnuala King, former teachers at the Royal and Prior Comprehensive School, say that granting permission would be ‘a retrograde step’.

“Having lived in this location since 1977 we have been aware of the adverse effects of quarrying during the previous quarry's time of operation,” they wrote. 

“The impact of a new quarry will be even greater given that the number of houses, businesses and churches has increased.”

Lady Heather Robinson of Oakfield Park said that the development would be ‘catastrophic’ for the area.

In her submission, Lady Robinson said: “I do hope that the council will sincerely take account of the local distress caused by this application and will do all it can to preserve the long term integrity and tranquillity of this beautiful heritage town over and above any short term financial incentives.”

Steven Moore resides at Mountainpark in a stone-built cottage that is over 100 years old. 

“The blasting from the quarry also will affect the stability of my house,” he wrote in a letter. 

Mr Moore relies on a well for a water supply for his home and farm and fears the quarry could affect his supply. 

Rachel and Hugh White told how they are living in a house which is suspected of having MICA. 

The couple, who also depend on water wells for their supply, say that this ‘is traumatic enough for a family without the fear of extra blasting, vibration, drilling and excavation a few hundred metres away and further damaging the structure of our home.’

The Board of Management of Raphoe Central National School, with an enrolment of 180 children, expressed their concerns. 

“We do not want their education to be adversely affected by the dust, noise and vibrations which will result from the crushing and blasting of stone, which this development will cause,” they said.

The Board of Management of the Royal and Prior Comprehensive School, also in close proximity, noted that an old quarry on the site has not been used in almost 50 years. 

“The town of Raphoe has changed during that time, with a greater population and the development of many new homes,” they wrote.

“We do not want the students' education or the members of staffs' workplace to be adversely affected by the dust, noise and vibrations which will result from the crushing and blasting of stone which this development will cause.”

The schools added further fears that the traffic from an ‘industrial-scale’ quarry would not be able to be accommodated by the narrow streets of Raphoe’.