Waterford quarry development given the go ahead despite strong local objections
The project was given planning permission by the council in 2022 and has since been before An Bord Pleanála and the High Court. Stock Image.
An Coimisiún Pleanála have given the go ahead for the extension of a satellite quarry in Dungarvan despite strong local objections.
Planning permission was granted by Waterford City and County Council for the extension of the Cappagh Quarry in 2022 but an appeal was made to An Bord Pleanála, now An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Roadstone was granted permission in 2024, following consideration of the appeal.
But the High Court ordered reconsideration of one of the conditions, a restriction on the number of times blasting can be carried out in a year.
The restriction was removed earlier this month, clearing the way for construction.
Permission was granted to extend the Cappagh quarry to 13.6 hectares, construct a 40 metre concrete tunnel underpass and a new concrete batching facility.
Permission was sought for 20 years.
The quarry covers the townlands of Ballykennedy, Kilgreany and Canty Townlands and Cappagh.
A total of 45 objections were lodged against the original planning application.
One local who was not a party to the appeal said in her objection in 2021 that she was a “child of the quarry” and grew up around sirens, which frightened her, “non-stop" and that it was an "awful grinding racket” and caused dust in the air.
She described an incident where rocks “came flying” onto her farm and said that the impact on the community was too much.
“They have had more than their share.
“Now it is time to give consideration to nature, biodiversity and the local community. We must protect our local environment.
“It is your duty as regulators to ensure that our environment and its inhabitants are protected when they are threatened,” said the local.
Most objectors were concerned about pollution, road damage, human and animal health and quality of life issues.
Some objections were made to the classification of the project as an extension, saying this is a new quarry, while others said no local consultation was held prior to the application.
Many objectors lived close to the quarry, and some had businesses like farms in the area, which they say are impacted by the industrial activity.
The proposed development, they said, would make that worse.
One local objector said: “Home should be a safe, secure, comfortable refuge which no commercial industry should be allowed to take away.”
In their decision, Waterford City and County Council granted permission subject to 25 conditions.
Those conditions included an operation period of no more than 20 years and restrictions on operating times.
The final floor level of the quarry is not allowed to drop below 10m “in the interests of orderly development, clarity and public health”.
Rock breaking can only happen between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and operating hours are restricted to 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and 7am and 2pm on Saturdays.
The quarry cannot operate on bank holidays, Sundays and public holidays.
An appeal against the decision was lodged by Terence and Mary McCarthy with six observers listed on June 28, 2022, to An Bord Pleanála, which granted permission with revised conditions on December 4, 2024.
One of those conditions labelled 8(d) stated that “blasting shall not occur more than four times a year and shall be confined to 11am to 3pm, Monday to Friday only”.
Roadstone initiated judicial proceedings to remove the annual restrictions, and the High Court ordered that the commission look at the case again.
The case was reactivated in June, and the annual restriction was removed on December 5, 2025.
They said that the mitigation measures sent out in the Environmental Impact Report were sufficient.
The commission said in its order “that, subject to compliance with the conditions set out below, the proposed development would not seriously injure the residential amenities of the area or otherwise of property in the vicinity, would not have an unacceptable impact on the character of the landscape or cultural or archaeological heritage, would not have a significant adverse impact on ecology, would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience and public health and would make a positive contribution to the economy.
“The proposed development would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
