LATEST: Asphalt plant to go ahead in Tipperary under revised conditions after objections

Tipperary County Council received the planning application from Lagan Tarmac Ltd on February 3, 2023 which sought planning permission to construct and operate an asphalt plant, with an overall stack height of 30 metres, at Cloghleigh, Golden, county Tipperary.

Other aspects of the plans involve the building of a weighbridge, an ancillary office unit (133.6 sqm), hardstanding, the construction of associated aggregate storage bays, and all associated site development works.

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The council granted permission on July 11, 2023, subject to eight conditions with the permission given an expiry date of January 14, 2030.

On July 24, 2023, Brian Devitt and Michael and Denise Barry submitted an appeal to An Bord Pleanála on grounds that the project is "unnecessary and unreasonable." Concerns were also expressed about the long term impact on local streams, the environment and air quality.

The appeal also included objections which pointed out that local roads are "unsuitable for the proposed traffic," and an "air emissions licence was not included with the planning application."

Furthermore, the objecting parties said that a traffic survey which had been conducted to determine the impact the construction would have on roads was "carried out during Easter holidays and did not account for school traffic or quarry traffic."

An inspector's report outlined that the proposed development is designed to manufacture asphalt by coating bitumen on to the surfaces of dried stone aggregate. The development is set to be located at a site on the N74 which connects Golden village to Cashel and Tipperary town. The village is 2.5km to the north of the site on the N74.

Despite concerns over the impact on health, road safety and quality of life, An Bord Pleanála issued its decision this month, upholding the council’s decision. However, they attached 12 revised conditions.

Among the revised conditions were inclusions that dust levels at the site boundary must not exceed 350 milligrams per square metre per day averaged over a 30 consecutive days.

The conditions also outlined that overground tanks containing liquids, other than water, must be contained in waterproof bunded areas, and the stack is to be painted grey “in the interest of visual amenity.”

In its conclusion, the board stated: "Having regard to the nature and extent of the proposed development, the brownfield nature and established use of the site for quarrying and associated manufacturing activities, the planning of the site, the proximity of the national primary road network, and the existing rural character and pattern development in the vicinity, and to the provisions of the Tipperary County Development Plan 2022 – 2028, it is considered that subject to compliance with the conditions set out, the proposed development would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area, or of the property in the vicinity, would not be prejudicial to public health, would be acceptable in terms of roads and traffic safety and there would be no significant effect on the environment.

"The proposed development would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."