QUARRY FIGHT
Anger at hearing into Gillies Hill plan
Campaigners against proposals to resume quarrying operations at Gillies Hill packed out Cambusbarron Community Centre this week.
Dozens of passionate members of the public made their way to the centre’s sports hall yesterday (Tuesday) as Scottish Government reporter Richard Dent held an official hearing into the controversial application by Paterson’s Quarries Ltd.
The group are seeking permission to continue quarrying, create a new access road and public car park including restoration proposals at Murrayshall Quarry site on Polmaise Road.
Stirling Council’s planning panel formally opposed the proposals earlier this year and this week’s hearing was arranged after the applicants appealed to the Scottish Government over the council’s non-determination.
Proceedings got underway with representatives from the Paterson’s Quarries; Tillicoultry Quarries, who are responsible for part of the land; Stirling Council and representatives from the Village’s community council. The hearing continued late on Tuesday afternoon and is expected to resume today (Wednesday) with a site visit also planned.
As matters began yesterday morning, representatives from Paterson’s were interrupted by irate local man Dougie Todd who voiced his opposition to the proposals. He 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.”
Paterson’s told the room that they
previously had a quarry in nearby Kilsyth - since closed - and this proposal complies with the need for a “hard rock” quarry to satisfy market demand in the Stirling/Falkirk area.
The application has attracted more than 1000 objections from Stirling Civic Trust, Stirling High School Parent Council and other local and national organisations, in addition to community councils in Torbrex, Kings Park and Cambusbarron.
Arguments against the plans are: potential damage to the local environment, disruption to a historic site and an increase in traffic with additional HGV movements.
Douglas Campbell, representing Cambusbarron Community Council and the Save Gillies Hill group, which is supported by both local MP Steven Paterson and MSP Bruce Crawford, said: “What we’re hearing just now is there is a need for Paterson’s – not the society or local community. We fundamentally disagree that this proposal complies with policies in the development plan.”
Representatives from Paterson’s insist that, as this is a major application comprising two hectares of land, they have gone through the full planning process and have had to consider all relevant development planning policies.
Mr Campbell added: “Any development should bring benefit which outweighs damage to the environment. Unless there is a benefit to the society I would suggest it doesn’t comply.”
Mr Dent asked those opposed to the application about the impact it would have on their community and this was met by laughter and calls of ‘it’s on our doorstep’ from members of the public.
Mr Campbell replied: “We are trying to buy part of the area nearby for the community. We have a vision for the area and it doesn’t include a quarry. It’s not the area owned by Paterson’s, obviously, but part of the hill site.”
Local man Mr Todd again addressed reporter Mr Dent, saying: “This is one of the most historic sites in Scotland and you are going to let them wipe it out.”
Planning permission granted for the site in 1982, reviewed through the Review of Old Mineral Permissions (ROMP) legislation 14 years ago was also discussed.
However, those opposed to the plans argued that this proposal represented a new, separate planning application and should be treated as such.
Stirling councillor Scott Farmer said: “Much of the session has focussed on the need for the continuation of quarrying at Gillies Hill. I know locals and campaigners join me in concerns that this further quarrying of a site of natural beauty and historical significance is more about corporate greed than servicing the need of local communities.”
Paterson’s hope to extract 300,000 tonnes of rock each year from the site synonymous with the Battle of Bannockburn. The landowners for the area are Tillicoultry Quarries and Drygrange Estate Ltd. The hearing continues today (Wednesday).