Silent Majority community group raises concerns about 'delay and disruption tactics' at Dalradian Inquiry
Whilst the Silent Majority Community Group has welcomed the long-overdue resumption of the Inquiry after years of procedural delays which has stalled a major economic opportunity for the region, the group has raised serious concerns regarding deliberate delay and disruption tactics being employed by the small number of objectors at the ongoing Dalradian Public Inquiry.
PAC guidance issued in 2024 encouraged groups with common interests to coordinate their participation and appoint spokespersons where possible. Supporters of the project, including community organisations, local businesses and industry bodies from across Britain and Ireland, followed that guidance.
However, according to The Silent Majority, objectors have ignored it.
Chairman of The Silent Majority, Mr Gerry Kelly said: “Our members have attended the Inquiry whenever possible, and it is clear that the small number of third-party objectors are using tactics designed to disrupt proceedings and place unnecessary pressure on the process.
“Rather than addressing the substantive planning issues, objectors appear focused on delay tactics intended to exhaust the process.
“Despite clear PAC guidance, the same arguments continue to be repeated by multiple speakers. At the same time, objectors present themselves as speaking for the entire community. The existence of The Silent Majority, alongside the broad coalition of local supporters, businesses and organisations backing the project, proves otherwise.”
Mr Kelly said the impact on the timetable and public cost of proceedings is becoming increasingly serious.
“What amounts to little more than two families spread across multiple tables is placing significant pressure on resources and scheduling through repeated submissions and contradictory statements. Six weeks into the proceedings, only three of the ten main topic areas have been completed, and the timetable is already under severe strain.
“Two of those topics were socio-economic issues and roads considerations. Regarding the economic benefits, Dalradian has made clear the benefits including around £1 billion in local supply chain spending, approximately 1,000 direct and indirect jobs and major long-term investment into the local economy. The project would also provide well-paid skilled jobs, apprenticeships, and training opportunities for local people, with average salaries of around £45,000, significantly above local earnings. We look forward to this important economic boost for our council region and neighbouring counties. Objectors on the other hand, seek to decry the obvious benefits at every turn despite low productivity rates and low wage rates in this area.
“To assist with our research, in 2019, around 20 members of The Silent Majority visited Tara Mines in County Meath to see first-hand what life is like in a community with a long-established working mine. Members visited shops and cafés in Navan and found local people overwhelmingly positive about the mine and the economic benefits it has brought to the town since the 1970s.
“Regarding the roads discussion, some objectors now appear to prefer retaining a pothole-filled inadequate road rather than supporting investment in a safer and improved alternative road. Indeed, during the roads discussion, an expert witness appearing on behalf of one of the objector groups, succeeded in getting himself excluded from proceedings. Despite repeated protests by other objectors, his readmission was blocked by the Commissioner, who described his behaviour as “unacceptable and disgraceful.”
The community group added that the Inquiry must prioritise relevant planning evidence and efficient use of public money so proceedings can continue fairly and without further unnecessary delay.