Quarries, airports, masts: news from down the country

national | environment | news report Monday August 18, 2008 15:25 by Contaminated Crow

This week's reports on environmental campaigns and controversies from the local papers

The Bushy Park Environmental Group, Ennis, Co. Clare is going to the High Court opposing the granting of permission to Whelan Limestone Quarries Ltd. to expand their flagship quarry at Fountain, close to Ennis, Co. Clare. The Environment Group has previously 'made numerous complaints to Clare County Council about the lack of planning permission for large tracts of Whelan's quarry' according to member Michael Halpin and has recently won a case in the European Court of Justice about the way Whelan's planning status was being dealt with. (Source: Clare People 12/8/08 p. 13)

Sligo Airport has submitted a new planning application for an extension to its runway at Strandhill, Sligo, which involves construction on Dorrin's Strand, which may affect wildlife including the rare Whorl snail, Brent geese and other waterfowl. When first announced in 2007 controversy over the plan led to the formation of a Save Dorrin's Strand group to oppose the runway extension. (Source: Sligo Champion 13/8/08, p. 1,2.).

Mayo County Council has refused permission for a telecom mast at the Eircom exchange in Killadoon, near Louisburgh, following seven local objections, including one which pointed out that Killadoon is in a Special Area of Conservation and the mast would impigne on the integrity of a nearby ring fort. (Source: Mayo News 12/8/08 page 6).

Local opponents have defeated a plan by Atlantis Development Ltd to invest 10 million Euro in a major commercial development in Doolin, Co.Clare, which included a 32-bed retirement home, supermarket, three shops, a tourist hostel and two car parks, when Clare County Council refused planning permission on six separate grounds. (Source Clare People 12/8/08: p.17).