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19/08/2003
Stop Notice issued in Fermanagh quarrying
The Department of Environment's (DoE) Planning Service has issued a Stop Notice to two quarrying projects in Co Fermanagh.
The projects, at Fardrum and Roosky Turloughs, 7km north-west of Enniskillen, are one of only two sites of European Importance regarding Turloughs within the UK.
Deane Public Works Ltd, who is quarrying at Roosky, has breached a planning condition and DoE has served an enforcement notice and stop notice on them.
Ian Maye, Acting Chief Executive of the Planning Service explained: “Fardrum and Roosky Turloughs, which are essentially raised lakes, are in an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and are one of only two sites of European importance in the UK. The water is fed to them by an aquifer. The quarry contractor, through excavation (including blasting) may have damaged this aquifer and impacted on the lakes.
“We needed to take prompt action because of the potential consequences of further excavation at this site. I am pleased that this prompt enforcement action by Planning Service has so far seen the contractor comply with the Stop Notice. He can no longer excavate at this site, but can continue to process minerals already extracted as part of his planning approval.
“Rest assured that Planning Service would be closely monitoring the situation. We will act quickly to seek an injunction if there is any change to this position.”
Earlier this year, the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) commissioned the Limestone Research Group from the University of Huddersfield to undertake research on the hydrology of the turloughs and the likely impact of activities within the wider area, including current and future quarrying developments and agricultural activities.
Last week, Professor Gunn, who is leading the research indicated that the excavation in the quarry may have resulted in a breach of the water table and that further excavation would be likely to result in further damage.
In light of this, EHS contacted Planning Service and recommended that action be taken to ensure the cessation of quarrying within Roosky quarry.
(MB)
The projects, at Fardrum and Roosky Turloughs, 7km north-west of Enniskillen, are one of only two sites of European Importance regarding Turloughs within the UK.
Deane Public Works Ltd, who is quarrying at Roosky, has breached a planning condition and DoE has served an enforcement notice and stop notice on them.
Ian Maye, Acting Chief Executive of the Planning Service explained: “Fardrum and Roosky Turloughs, which are essentially raised lakes, are in an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and are one of only two sites of European importance in the UK. The water is fed to them by an aquifer. The quarry contractor, through excavation (including blasting) may have damaged this aquifer and impacted on the lakes.
“We needed to take prompt action because of the potential consequences of further excavation at this site. I am pleased that this prompt enforcement action by Planning Service has so far seen the contractor comply with the Stop Notice. He can no longer excavate at this site, but can continue to process minerals already extracted as part of his planning approval.
“Rest assured that Planning Service would be closely monitoring the situation. We will act quickly to seek an injunction if there is any change to this position.”
Earlier this year, the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) commissioned the Limestone Research Group from the University of Huddersfield to undertake research on the hydrology of the turloughs and the likely impact of activities within the wider area, including current and future quarrying developments and agricultural activities.
Last week, Professor Gunn, who is leading the research indicated that the excavation in the quarry may have resulted in a breach of the water table and that further excavation would be likely to result in further damage.
In light of this, EHS contacted Planning Service and recommended that action be taken to ensure the cessation of quarrying within Roosky quarry.
(MB)
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