MANNOK’s plans to develop a new quarry pit near Ballyconnell in Cavan have been blasted by campaigners.
A community group has been formed by locals called ‘Ballyheady – say NO to Quarry – Save Nature’ to oppose it as they claim it will threaten a historical site and the natural habitat there.
The group held a public meeting last month to discuss a plan of action and have since been voicing their concerns.
Farmer Paddy Gilroy from the townland of Ballyheady and a member of the West Cavan Bog Association lives just across the river from the proposed development site.
According to Mr Gilroy, the area where Mannok is planning to build their sand and gravel pit is surrounded by “heathland”.
“There are cairn stones there over 5,000 years old, that people come from all over Ireland to see, and three bogs, colloquially called the ‘flow bog’ which is very precious,” he told the Anglo-Celt newspaper.
“There’s no other place like it, in either Cavan or Monaghan and now it’s going to be destroyed by this quarry if it gets the go-ahead.”
To date, almost 30 submissions have been received by the local council regarding Mannok’s planning proposal including those from the likes of Nuala Madigan from Irish Peatland Conservation Council, ecologist Heather Bothwell, and Peter Sweetman of Wild Ireland Defence CLG.
The protest group was also angered when just 24 hours after putting up signs appealing for public support, one was torn down and destroyed.
On March 21, 2023, Mannok lodged the plans for their new quarrying operation to the west of the L1045 Killeshandra Road, in the townlands of Clontygrigny and Callaghs, in Ballyconnell.
Mannok has since submitted an environmental report and a Natural Impact Statement to council planners as part of ‘Further Information’ requested by the local authority.
“The aim of the development is to continue to support sustainable local jobs and regional economic prosperity,” a Mannok spokesman said.
“Mannok is engaging with the planning approval process to ensure the highest environmental and biodiversity protection standards are applied in a project that is both necessary and beneficial to the region.”
Proposed measures to address environmental concerns include realigning a drainage ditch, the installation of dams, and measures to address the impact on the ground and surface water systems and the potential impact to the water table.
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