There is growing concern among residents of the Duleek-Julianstown area over plans for a major expansion of an existing quarry operated by the Kilsaran Concrete. The company has applied to Meath County Council for permission for a significant increase in extraction at the quarry. It also wants to import millions of tonnes of soil and stone as part of a planned restoration and aggregate recovery proposal. The planned development would allow for average annual extraction of 650,000 tonnes of material, then rising to 900,000 tonnes a year at peak periods.
Residents say this would mean a substantial increase on current extraction levels of 400,000 tonnes a year. The company seeks to import non-waste soil and stone to backfill an existing quarry void as part of a phased restoration project. A permitted extraction area of approximately 18.15 hectares is in operation at the quarry now but the company is seeking an additional extra area of 15.4 hectares, including a new extension to the South of the site.
No decision has been made by Meath County Council planning department on the application which was submitted on 13 th January this year. Local residents have expressed concern over the potential impact of increased quarrying, traffic volumes on rural roads, air quality, vibration and noise.
