Situated just south of Broadford, directly to the south west of Calfstown Crossroads, is a pit that has caused a lot of controversy over the last few decades. It still does, to this day.
This page outlines the timeline of events leading up to the most recent controversy.
2002
In August 2002, a planning application (Kildare Co. Co. Reference No. 02/1475) is made by Goode Concrete Ltd. for “the extraction of sand and gravel over an area of 7.8 hectares, associated washing and screening plant, new access and access road, shipping office, site office, weighbridge, wheelwash, surface water settlement lagoon, staff facilities etc” on the site.
2003
In October 2003, The planning application is refused by Kildare County Council. Several reasons were given for the refusal, including the need to protect the residences close by, and the fact that the proposed development would contravene the County Development Plan at the time.
The report by the council’s Senior Environmental Health Officer raises concerns over the impact of quarrying on the groundwater that supplies the private wells of nearby residents.
In November 2003, an appeal is made to An Bord Pleanála.
2004
An Bord Pleanála grants permission to Goode Concrete Ltd. to begin operations at Ballinderry in September 2004.
In relation to the concerns raised by an Inspector regarding the impact to private wells, the board considered:
That the inclusion of a condition restricting the quarry operations to a level one metre above the highest water table level would overcome the Inspector’s concerns with regard to the impact of the quarry on wells in the vicinity of the site.
The board’s decision also states that restoration of the site should take place within one year following the cessation of activities.
2005
Ordnance Survey imagery from 2005 shows the site in its former state as a field.
2010
In August 2010, Kildare County Council begin enforcement investigations and actions against Goode Concrete Ltd. The council contends that a number of conditions of the planning permission were not being complied with.
Ordnance Survey imagery taken sometime between 2005 to 2012 shows the quarry in its operational state. A large lake is present, possibly indicating that excavation has taken place below the water table.
2016
A High Court case between Kildare County Council and Goode Concrete Ltd. establishes the fact that extraction has taken place below the water table.
The condition to stop extraction at 1 metre above the water table, in order to protect the private wells of local residents, was not adhered to.
In November 2016, the court orders all operations at the site to cease.
2018
In June 2018, an application for a Waste Licence to fill in the pit is made to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by GCHL Limited. It is assigned reference number W0298-01 and can be viewed at http://www.epa.ie/terminalfour/waste/waste-view.jsp?regno=W0298-01. This application is still under review.
2019
Ballinderry Pit now contains two lakes that are home to wild birds such as Mute Swans, Moorhens and Ducks. If any good has come from the illicit actions of the quarry operator, it is that this new habitat for wildlife has been created.
Recent testing by Kildare County Council has proven that some of the private wells of local residents are contaminated. Local residents insist that the contamination is a direct result of the effect of quarrying below the water table, as was predicted by the experts of both KCC and An Bord Pleanála when they assessed the original planning application for the quarry.
My submission to the EPA in relation to the Waste Licence application is available to view at https://brendanwyse.ie/w0298-01-submission-bw/
4th October 2019
Raised the issue of the council’s obligations regarding Ballinderry Pit at the monthly meeting of Clane Maynooth Municipal District.
