Work on a quarry in a proposed National Heritage Area in Co Wicklow has been further postponed following a meeting between local councillors and the quarry operators.
The cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council and ward councillors met representatives of Roadstone yesterday to discuss the quarrying of local landmark Arklow Rock at Rockbig in the south of the county.
Councillors had voted in July to ask An Bord Pleanála to examine the planning status of the quarry. They also asked Roadstone to cease work at the rock pending a decision by the planning board.
Arklow Rock visually dominates the coast at the seaside town. It is a maritime reference point, has connections with the 1798 Rising and is seen as an important visual amenity in the area.
Roadstone has operated a quarry there since before 1963, which was not covered by the planning codes. Legislation introduced in 2000 required all quarry owners to register their quarries.
Under the legislation the council has told Roadstone to apply for planning permission for the quarry at Arklow Rock and submit an environmental impact statement by April 2007.
Locals, however, fear that the rock will disappear before then.
At the meeting yesterday Roadstone agreed to postpone works on the rock pending further negotiations with the council and local residents.
In a statement the company said it recognised that in recent weeks a number of local residents had expressed concerns at the progression of extraction to the upper level at the southern face of the quarry, and it acknowledged the concerns.
"In the light of this, Roadstone has decided to postpone further works at the top of the southern face, other than to ensure compliance with mining and quarrying and health and safety legislation, to allow consultation with Wicklow County Council and local interests."
Cllr Joe Behan said he welcomed the fact that Roadstone had held the door open for further meetings to take place. However he pointed out that it had not given a guarantee to wait until An Bord Pleanála had determined the planning status of work at the quarry.
"They have not given a guarantee that Arklow Rock will not be quarried at some stage," he said.
He also pointed out that Roadstone did not guarantee how long it would postpone works on the rock.
"We will continue our efforts to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion," he said.
The issue will be raised at the next full meeting of the council on Monday.
