A campaign has been launched in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, to prevent the development of a sixth quarry in the area, with residents citing concerns about the possible environmental impact of the project.
Carrigtwohill Environmental Alliance has joined forces with local Green Party representatives and Labour TD Joe Sherlock to voice their concerns about a quarry development at a 40-hectare (100-acre) site in the townland of Rossmore.
Cork-based concrete products manufacturer Healy Bros recently applied for planning permission to extend its quarrying activities to Rossmore. Alliance co-chairman Peter Thompson said the proposed quarry was just 300 yards from the back gardens of 12 houses. Homeowners have become increasingly concerned about traffic and dust implications, the effect on property values and the impact on the environment, he said.
"It is just getting mad at this stage," he added. "We have lived with quarries for many years, but enough is enough. Traffic is a very serious concern.
"There is a very busy crossroads in the townland of Rossmore. This quarry would only add to the problems. Locals are very worried about it. The roads are more like country lanes, they just aren't up to it."
Mr Thompson said residents felt the local area had taken on more than its fair share of such facilities.
"There has been all sorts of quarry activity and people have made a fortune out of it, but there is nothing going back in to the area. We object to having our heritage destroyed. The tragedy of this whole situation is that this is a green belt area.
"It is in contrast to the vision of the area to have so many quarries. Residents are very concerned and people are prepared to stick their neck out to stop it from going ahead."
Sarah Iremonger of the Green Party has called for a ban on new quarries around the area. She claims excessive quarrying has created a lunar landscape around Carrigtwohill and that additional quarrying will create major environmental damage.
"Blasting, dust, emissions, noise, traffic, and damage to the water table are only some of the problems local residents face on a continued basis," she said.
A spokesman for Healy Bros said yesterday that the company was conscious of the concerns of local residents. "We hope residents will realise that our comprehensive environmental impact statement and environmental programme demonstrates our very real commitment in this area."