Green Today, Gone Tomorrow: Act Now for Beaumont Quarry
The Issue
Beaumont Quarry in Cork City, of approx. 9 ha, is an important urban green space for biodiversity. One of Ireland’s first urban rewilding spaces that hosts an Irish Red Data Book plant species of significant conservation importance.
The quarry is also used for educational, recreational, and well-being activities for schools, corporations, and the wider public. It is regularly visited by a wide range of people including locals, national and international visits. It is an urban site of importance.
The BusConnects route (STC J Mahon to City), proposes to remove a section of the rewilding area by building a pedestrian platform overhanging the steep slopes of the quarry. This will not only involve removing 200 trees but also bring in light and disturbance to the site impacting two species of bats and all invertebrate species. Carrying out the works would also create huge disturbance to all areas of the site including calcareous grassland, woodland and the rewilding area.
When we met BusConnects, they were not prepared to amend their plans. We were informed that very little if any background research had been undertaken on the area (conversations with Cork Nature Network and residents, traffic, cycle or pedestrian counts). We are asking for an amendment to the proposal put forward by BusConnects. This amendment is highly workable and involves a short section of a combined cycle/pedestrian path at the bend in Churchyard Lane/Boorenamanna Road where there is also a junction.
In the recent consultation held by BusConnects over 50% of people supported biodiversity for this route and we had 69 submissions from communities and politicians to keep the quarry as it is. Alongside the quarry, there is Beaumont walled garden, which the community wants to have as a community garden. Additionally, there are two species of bats roosting in the walls, that also use the quarry as a foraging habitat. BusConnects plan to turn half of the walled garden area into a car park.
It is important to gain as many signatures to this petition to support us in our opposition to this proposal that will damage a unique urban green space. We are losing our urban green spaces and it is highly important that this site is kept as it is and managed for wildlife, recreation and for future generations to enjoy.
Please support us to help spread the news and encourage everyone who wants urban green spaces to be kept for today and future generations.
2,304
The Issue
Beaumont Quarry in Cork City, of approx. 9 ha, is an important urban green space for biodiversity. One of Ireland’s first urban rewilding spaces that hosts an Irish Red Data Book plant species of significant conservation importance.
The quarry is also used for educational, recreational, and well-being activities for schools, corporations, and the wider public. It is regularly visited by a wide range of people including locals, national and international visits. It is an urban site of importance.
The BusConnects route (STC J Mahon to City), proposes to remove a section of the rewilding area by building a pedestrian platform overhanging the steep slopes of the quarry. This will not only involve removing 200 trees but also bring in light and disturbance to the site impacting two species of bats and all invertebrate species. Carrying out the works would also create huge disturbance to all areas of the site including calcareous grassland, woodland and the rewilding area.
When we met BusConnects, they were not prepared to amend their plans. We were informed that very little if any background research had been undertaken on the area (conversations with Cork Nature Network and residents, traffic, cycle or pedestrian counts). We are asking for an amendment to the proposal put forward by BusConnects. This amendment is highly workable and involves a short section of a combined cycle/pedestrian path at the bend in Churchyard Lane/Boorenamanna Road where there is also a junction.
In the recent consultation held by BusConnects over 50% of people supported biodiversity for this route and we had 69 submissions from communities and politicians to keep the quarry as it is. Alongside the quarry, there is Beaumont walled garden, which the community wants to have as a community garden. Additionally, there are two species of bats roosting in the walls, that also use the quarry as a foraging habitat. BusConnects plan to turn half of the walled garden area into a car park.
It is important to gain as many signatures to this petition to support us in our opposition to this proposal that will damage a unique urban green space. We are losing our urban green spaces and it is highly important that this site is kept as it is and managed for wildlife, recreation and for future generations to enjoy.
Please support us to help spread the news and encourage everyone who wants urban green spaces to be kept for today and future generations.
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Petition created on 21 March 2024