Boardmills residents continue campaign against quarry plan

Boardmills residents continue campaign against quarry plan

12 November 2014

RESIDENTS opposed to a controversial plan for a new quarry on 80 acres of agricultural land at the Temple held a public meeting on Monday night.

Members of the No Creevy Quarry organisation met at Temple Golf Club to provide a briefing on plans by Belfast harbour-based company Conexpo to develop a quarry at the Saintfield Road.

The campaign group said there is “overwhelming community opposition” to the development of a new hard rock quarry at what it described as a “tranquil location on fertile farming land in the heart of the Co. Down countryside.”

Mr. Huw Morgan said residents opposed to the development “have captured the core reasons for the opposition to the quarry and that is really the lack of need.

“The quarry industry is in decline,” he continued. “Conexpo would be better supporting existing quarries rather than trying to get a new quarry on a greenfield site, in a beautiful and tranquil part of Northern Ireland.”

Mr. Morgan added: “The the key thing is the need and there is no need, so we are encouraging the local opposition to oppose the quarry.”

Heather Armstrong, chairwoman of the No Creevy Quarry Committee, said it believes that with so many quarries closed and others struggling to survive, there is no need for the proposed new quarry.

She continued: “The rock in question isn’t gold. Its greywacke which is common for most of counties Down, Louth and Meath. The quarry industry in Ireland already has sufficient capacity that allows it to serve the market efficiently.

“If developed, this new quarry will result in the loss of fertile farming land and will cause a permanent scar on the landscape,” claimed Heather. “This project could adversely affect established local equestrian and tourism enterprises in the area and lead to dust and noise and vibration from blasting.” 

Farmer David Patterson believes the impact of the quarry on farming, livestock and crop production “could be considerable.” He argued the proposed quarry may adversely affect the yield and quality of the surrounding pastureland, including the growth and development of nearby woodland plantings, orchards and hedgerows.

Members of the campaign group fear if the quarry proposal secures planning approval, there could be an increased flood risk and potential pollution of rivers.

Campaigners are also concerned the proposed quarry will result in a significant increase in traffic volumes on the Saintfield Road heading to the M1 junction in nearby Lisburn.

Earlier this year, Conexpo hosted a community planning event at the Island Civic Centre in Lisburn to outline its proposal plan, while company representatives have provided Lisburn councillors with an overview of their plans for Saintfield Road site.

Conexpo has already carried out a ground condition survey on land which forms part of two farms it has bought with a view to opening the new quarry and a feasibility study has also been compiled.