Planning for movement of 70,000 tonnes of material refused

Wexford County Council has refused planning permission to Sean Kinsella Site Developments Ltd for the importation of 70,000 tonnes of material onto a site at Banntown, Huntington, Gorey.

It had been proposed to import inert natural materials, principally excess soil, stone, and broken rock in order to level off agricultural land by raising existing site levels in an area measuring approximately two hectares, within an overall site area of 7.85 hectares.

The proposed works were to include the provision of suitable drainage, and the site was to be finished by the placement of cover soils and seeding to continue its use as agricultural land. A Natura impact statement was submitted.

The council refused permission saying ‘the application, which proposes the disposal of more then 25,000 tonnes of waste material per annum on the site, was not accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement/ Assessment Report’, required by planning regulations.

It also said there was ‘insufficient information, notably in respect of a comprehensive hydrogeological assessment report and drawings detailing impacts on existing vegetation/landscaping at the boundaries,’ and potentially the Slaney River Valley. It also felt the proposed local access roads wouldn’t be capable of accommodating the HGV movements associated with importing 70,000 tonnes of material.