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Member First Credit Union presented a cheque for €1,000 to BASE (Brackenstown Adult Scene of Education), Swords last week. The cheque was put to good use and was used to purchase a computer, a printer and a telephone, all vital to the smooth running of the organisaton. Pictured at the cheque presentation are, Maureen McGarvey (BASE), Jean Gavin (Member First Credit Union), Noeleen Caul (Chairperson BASE), Phil Keely (BASE) and Claire Crosbie (BASE)
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9th May 2017 • Volume 24, Issue 16 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. K67 P5W4. • Tel: 01 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie • www.northcountyleader.ie
Assurances Given On Skerries Quarry The news that Milverton Quarry, owned by Roadstone just outside of Skerries is to be backfilled with 1.9 million tonnes of material, has prompted the County Leader to ask probing questions in relation to the type of material to be used. We contacted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the County Council to get clarification about the conditions attached to the type of material to be used and what licenses were granted. Many locals who spoke to the County Leader had realistic fears that hazardous waste material, like hospital waste may be used in the process. The EPA in their reply were very clear, when a spokesperson stated, “Permitted waste to be deposited at the facility includes soil and stones other than those containing hazardous substances or soil and stones from garden and park wastes. No hazardous material is permitted to be accepted at this facility. Construction waste (soil) is permitted, provided that it does not contain any hazardous waste and provided that it meets the Waste Acceptance Criteria as outlined in Schedule A.2 of Licence Reg. No. W0272-01.” The County Leader posed the question about how this is to be policed and by whom, and again, the answer was unequivocal. “The facility is regulated by the EPA. The type of material to be accepted at the facility is clearly outlined in the EPA licence and compliance with this and all conditions of the licence is the responsibility of the licensee and is confirmed by the EPA through an enforce-
By Patrick Finnegan ment programme, including site visits,” the statement concluded. In a related story, a group of environmentalists from Wicklow have been delaying plans by Roadstone in filling a disused quarry, which was filled with water. It has become a scenic lake located at the side of the beautiful Sugar Loaf Mountain. The group object to the plan, which is now is to restore the quarry to grassland, thus eliminating the lake.
Milverton Quarry
One of the men has been diving for more than five decades and has also gone diving in other disused quarries around the country. He proposed to Bray Municipal District in December 2015 that the quarry should be earmarked for outdoor pursuits. He said the amenity would bring “pleasure and adventure” into the lives of young people living nearby. Perhaps such a plan for Milverton quarry
may have a beneficial outcome for the people of Skerries, which could become a potential leisure amenity. Local Green Party member, Joe O’Brien pointed to a disused quarry near Dalkey that is being used for abseiling, with great success, but he feels that Milverton should be restored to grassland and gifted back to the people of Skerries to offset some of the damage that will be done by trucks. The County Leader also asked about what plans there are for the former quarry when it is completely back filled and the answer from the EPA was, “Roadstone Dublin Ltd submitted a restoration plan for the quarry which indicates that the main quarried void will be filled with inert soils, any buildings and hard standing areas will be removed and these areas will be levelled and grassed. The County Leader asked Roadstone to comment, but, despite having been given ample time to reply, they were unable to respond to us before going to press. There appears to be little respite for what are bound to be hard pressed commuters, when we asked the County Council about any restrictions that pertain to times of operations. A Council spokesperson confirmed, “Condition 4 of Reg. Ref. Q/05/003 restricts the hours of operation for the quarry to between 7am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, with no operation permitted on Sundays or public holidays. Consequently there will be no associated traffic on the road outside of these permitted hours. The waste licence
imposes no restriction on how many trips can be made each day.” Skerries Community Association’s big concern is road safety. Chairperson, Geoff McEvoy told the County Leader, “Based on Roadstone’s own numbers, this project could see an average of up to 65 truck movements each way every day. We’ve been raising this, and other concerns for years. Thanks to our local reps, we did finally get some answers at a recent Council meeting, but no one seems to have made a proper assessment of the impact this decision could have on road safety and traffic – especially at peak commuter times. We are currently asking the people of Skerries if a public meeting is needed on this issue,” he said. We also asked the County County if any fees for road maintenance are to be paid for by Roadstone and they replied, “Under ABP Ref. PL 20.QC2119 (Reg. Ref. Q/05/003) there is no condition requiring Roadstone Dublin Ltd to pay fees for road maintenance. Another source of concern, which was highlighted by O’Brien, relates to the environmental damage and particularly to
peregrine falcons which nest in the disused quarry. When questioned about this, the EPA were not particularly concerned. Their reply stated, “According to the baseline survey carried out as part of the E.I.S. only moderate flora and fauna diversity was recorded.” The EPA went on to say, “However, a peregrine falcon (falco peregrines) was found to be nesting on a residual quarry face. The Peregrine Falcon is afforded statutory protection by the Wildlife Act of 1976, S.I. 39 of 1976. This protection extends to its nest and eggs. Anecdotal evidence from quarry personal in May 2008 was that a falcon had successfully nested in this habitat for a number of years.” “Given the peregrine falcon’s protected status under National and European legislation and its ecological interest value, the ecological consultants recommended a high cliff face, suitable for roosting and nesting by the peregrine falcon, should be retained on-site. A height of 8 to 10 meters was considered sufficient in order to provide protection to the nest against human predators.”
Great News For Local Heritage Sites There is great news for the North County following the announcement of new funding totalling €114,500 which has been granted to local heritage projects. Total funding of €4.8 million, is part of an announcement by Heather Humphreys, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, for 569 heritage projects across the country, including twelve in the North County. The funding is great news for heritage groups and projects across the North County and will see lots of great historical buildings and landmarks being preserved, restored and protected. A County Council spokesperson, told the County Leader, “the County Council is pleased that all its applications for
funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Structures at Risk Fund for 2017 were
By Leslie Murphy successful and our Conservation Officer will now work with the owners of these protected structures to realise their individual projects.” This funding for local heritage projects is very welcome and great news throughout the North County. There is a great opportunity now for jobs and is expected to have a positive impact on tourism. Through the Structures at Risk Fund, North County Dublin, will receive €30,000 for works on the thatched cottage, Newlane, Darcystown, Balbriggan. Separately, North County heritage projects will
receive €84,500 through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme. Funding of €3.5 million is being provided for 502 heritage projects under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme for 2017. The scheme provides funding for protected buildings in private and public ownership. The funding being provided ranges from €2,500 to €10,000 per project. Of the 500 projects considered, many were for places of worship and residential use. A number of applications were for the rethatching of buildings of special interest. Local authorities assess applications from members of the public for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, and submit their recommended projects for approval by the Minister.
THE PROJECTS TO BENEFIT FROM THIS SCHEME INCLUDE:
President Michael D Higgins paid a visit to Skerries on Saturday last to commemorate Skerries on winning last year's Tidy Towns overall award, where he also unveiled a plaque to celebrate the great win. He is pictured here outside Floraville Garden with members of Skerries Tidy Towns committee, Back row: Frances Owens, Elaine Hunter, Emer Mc Loughlin, Anne Duggan, Martina Grogan and Joan Guildea. Front row: Maureen Byrne, Anne Doyle, President Higgins, Maeve McGann and Mary Conway
President Michael D Higgins paid a visit to Ardgillan Castle and Demesne on Saturday last to plant a tree in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the County Council's ownership of the estate. He is pictured at the tree planting ceremony with Paul Reid, Chief Executive, Fingal County Council
• €10,000 for thatching on the Thatched Cottage, Darcystown, Balbriggan; • €10,000 for thatching on Tankardville House, Brecan Close, Balbriggan; • €8,000 for window and lintel repairs on Corduff House, Corduff, Lusk; • €8,000 for energy efficiency improvements on the White House, Holmpatrick, Skerries; • €7,000 for external and internal joinery repair on Lambay Castle, Lambay Island, Rush; • €3,000 for thatching on the Thatched Cottage, Skerries Road, Rush; • €7,000 for roof repair, structures and coverings, including leadwork on Glebe House, Glebe Road, Kilsallaghan; • €7,000 for roof repairs including leadwork on The Vicarage, Turvey Avenue, Donabate; • €7,000 for roof repair, window and rainwater goods on Woodbine Cottage, Hearse Road, Donabate • €7,000 for roof repair, structures and coverings, including leadwork on the former Smyth’s Factory, Railway Street, Balbriggan; • €7,000 for the reinstatement of architectural features on No. 13, Drogheda Street, Balbriggan • €3,500 for roof repairs on No. 12 Convent Lane, Skerries.