Planners make decision on Limerick asphalt plant plan, which has attracted over 100 objections

COUNCIL has denied Roadstone permission to develop at its quarry near Shanagolden.

The building materials giant sought permission to build a plant manufacturing asphalt, which is a paving material made from crushed rock, sand and gravel, often used for roads.

“Asphalt is fundamental to the construction, transport and infrastructural sector, this, the proposed development provides materials essential for construction and day-to-day life,” agents for Roadstone stated in supporting documents to council planners.

READ MORE: Limerick's An Taisce branch want cars removed from part of riverside

They also pointed to major road projects coming down the line, including the Limerick to Cork M20 motorway, and Foynes to Limerick road, which includes the Adare bypass.

Roadstone said the asphalt plant would result in new permanent full and part-time positions.

“Those to be employed at the site will be from the local community so any increased revenue from this employment returns directly to the local community, thereby having a long-term moderate positive effect,” the company’s agents added.

As well as the asphalt plant, the development would provide for an electrical substation, a standby generator, a storage shed, eight storage bays and a gas storage unit.

But a total of 119 groups and individuals contacted the council, mainly raising concerns about the proposed development.

Among those expressing concerns were the Creeves and District Action Group, which listed a number of “significant concerns” it felt had not been addressed.

The group felt there had not been enough assessment on the visual impact of the plant on the local agricultural landscape.

The group believes Roadstone’s submission also lacks detailed information on measures the firm will put in place to mitigate against noise and odour pollution.

“It is vital that the local amenity, health and environmental integrity are fully protected through appropriate planning conditions and oversight,” the local group said.

Another individual, who lives in Shanagolden, wrote: “The roads in the area barely support the current level of heavy traffic from Roadstone, not to mention the traffic generated by residents living and commuting along the L1222 and the associated more minor roads branching off,” they wrote.

The resident added: “There are a number of farms that generated slower moving agricultural vehicles which will impact a time-critical product like asphalt that must arrive at its delivery point at a certain temperature. These factors will likely lead to a higher risk of collisions on a minor country road.”

Another local added: “An asphalt plant at this location would be detrimental to the health and well-being of people in the locality due to the proposed working hours, noise nuisance, dust nuisance and odour nuisance. It will be detrimental to the local flora and fauna of which species are protected under European law, such as the long-eared bat and the viola hirta (a plant species) which has been identified in close proximity to the proposed development.”

There was also an objection from an environmental group based in West Cork town of Bantry.

Council refused planning permission on three grounds.

Planners pointed to a lack of a comprehensive proposal for the development, including vehicle parking, welfare facilities, as well as the waste water treatment of the plant.