Quarry has no place in City Deal Stirling
Gillies Hill protester hits out as 2-day inquiry held
The Save Gillies Hill campaign chair has described as a “sad irony” the fact that the city deal announcement came at the same time as a hearing on the controversial quarrying proposal took place.
Susan McGill spoke out after two days of discussions were held in Cambusbarron Community Centre on the fate of the Gillies Hill area.
Opponents of the plans were present along with representatives from Paterson’s Quarries Ltd, who want to resume quarrying operations and create a new access road and car park at Murrayshall Quarry on Polmaise Road.
After the hearing came to an end on Wednesday Ms McGill spoke about concerns over the impact the application could have on the local area.
She said: “It’s a sad irony that the day it is announced that Stirling is to receive a city deal that will improve our local area we are concluding a two-day hearing that could potentially see at least 264 heavy goods vehicles pass through otherwise quiet residential areas and by Stirling Castle every single day.
“Questions over need were raised by the community council and by local councillor Scott Farmer and it is clear to see that this application seeks to benefit Paterson’s corporate interests and offers nothing but daily disruption and environmental destruction to the communities local to Gillies Hill.
“The response to the independent assessment could take up to six months and I sincerely hope that the reporter makes the right decision, protecting a valuable site to the people of Cambusbarron, Torbrex and across the Stirling area.”
Scottish Government reporter Richard Dent held the hearing, which was arranged after the company appealed to the Scottish Government over the council’s failure to decide on the planing application.
The Observer reported on Wednesday that dozens of passionate members of the public made their way to the hearing to voice their opposition to the proposals.
At one point irate local Dougie Todd stood up and shouted: “Can we object to any of this? Why are we going to reopen this? It hasn’t been in use for the last 30 years.
“I want you to justify why you are going to open up the quarry again. If you do Cambusbarron is going to be a nightmare.”
Save Gillies Hill have long campaigned against quarrying on the site over concerns it severely impacts on a site of historical and environmental significance while offering no benefit to the local community. The application has attracted more than 1000 objections from local people and groups.
Paterson’s say they previously had a quarry in Kilsyth but, as it has recently closed, there is a need for a hard rock quarry to satisfy market demand in Stirling and Falkirk.