As you may know Harrington's have lodged an application for further development under reference number 18/1149.

Development consists of:

a) Extraction of rock 4.35 hectares which was previously subject to rock extraction and all associated facilities/works
b) Extraction of rock will be undertaken by blasting means down to minus 5m above Ordnance Datum with material transported to the existing fixed crushing and screening plant for processing with occasional processing at the application site using mobile plant
c) Storage of quarry aggregate on completion of extraction
d) Landscaping and restoration of the site and all ancillary facilities/works
e) The applicant is seeking a 25 year permission as part of the planning application.

The local community have the following concerns:

1. The emission of dust particles from the quarry and the negative impact on local property from coating/soiling of property (including housing, washing, and cars), coating of vegetation, contamination of soils, water pollution and change in plant species composition. Where large amounts of dust are deposited on vegetation over a long time scale (a full growing season for example) there may be some adverse effects upon the plants photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration. The overall effect could be a decline in plant productivity, which may then have indirect effects on fauna.

2. The incoming and out-going roads to the quarry are not designed for articulated trucks, they are country roads. This poses a serious risk to road users, in particular pedestrians. The quarry is located in close proximity to a national school and poses great risk to the students, teachers and parents.

3. The community is concerned with the gas line that runs near this quarry and the potential risks that arises from this. The community is unaware of any due diligence or independent verification that any blasting from the quarry will not have any negative impacts to the gas line.

This petition is an outreach to members of the impacted communities and concerned members of the public to express their position on the expansion application to be located at Harrington Concreate & Quarries, Ardgaineen, Claregalway, Co. Galway.

We ask you to support us in our opposition to the proposed quarry by adding your name to this petition.