Quarry opposition steps up with crunch meeting

A DELEGATION of residents opposed to a quarry extension in Ardmore on the outskirts of Londonderry, are to meet Planners and Roads Service this morning to voice their opposition to the development.

An application lodged by the applicant, AS Ballantine, would see blasting resume at the site to extract around 35,000 cubic metres after an hiatus of 12 years.

However, residents have opposed the extension of the quarry on grounds of inadequate roads infrastructure and the proximity of the proposed extraction works to homes.

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Meanwhile, confirming that Roads Service officials would be in attendance at the meeting, a spokesman said the officials would be using the meeting as an opportunity to seek more detail on the application, and it is understood they will also be outlining a number of issues at the quarry which currently render it as substandard for operation.

“DRD Roads Service has accepted an invitation from Councillor Maurice Devenney to meet with him and local residents today, to discuss a planning application in relation to Gortree Quarry,” the spokesman said.

“Roads Service has formally responded to the consultation published by Planning Service on behalf of the applicant AS Ballantine Limited. However, to give full consideration to the matter Roads Service has asked for a number of further details including the proposed haul route, details of passing bays and details of the number of vehicles using the site,” they sais.

The new application relates to new areas of extraction, and extraction to a new depth, over a period of the next 15 years, but since the original application was submitted approval standards have changed and the application by AS Ballantine would have to be considered as a new application from the company.

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Among the aspects deemed unacceptable at present are the access sight splays, which it is believed have not been provided in accordance with the approved plans.

Roads Service is also seeking clarification of the proposed haulage route to and from the site, details of passing bays and further detail on junctions leading to the proposed site and the number of vehicles, both existing and proposed, which will be visiting the site.

One resident who will be attending the meeting lives just 500m from the proposed site of future blasting and extraction.

Ian Mitchell said he had bought his home because the quarry had been closed.

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“I have been living in this area since 2002, and at the time I bought this property the quarry was abandoned. The owner never took down machinery or closed it. Then, about 18 months ago I noticed they had stared to strip back the top soil so that the quarry can be extended back into the hillside.

“The quarry has been run down for the past 12 years and in that time many people have moved into the area, but the roads have not been upgraded and in addition to a number of regulations which have not been met,” Mr Mitchell said.

He went on to highlight how wildlife, including peregrine falcons, had moved into the quarry and that there were fish in the pond left behind when the quarry ceased 12 years ago.

He also revealed that a number of residents who would be effected by any resumption of works at the site had retained the services of a legal expert and were determined to oppose any resumption of works.

Residents have received support from Alderman Maurice Devenney, who said he “fully supported the concerns raised by residents”.

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