Kilwaughter Quarry in Larne, County Antrim.
Permission was granted for an extension of Kilwaughter Quarry outside Larne at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday morning.
Councillors heard the proposed development would enable quarrying at the Starbog Road location to continue for between another 12 and 15 years.
Principal planning officer Gary McGuinness told the committee permission had been approved initially last March. He said the existing quarry is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
A report to the committee said:
“The existing quarry site and the proposed extension site can be accessed by a lane that also provides access to Kilwaughter Castle.
“The proposed excavation site comprises part of the landscape within the estate and historic demesne associated with the castle, though the castle is outside the site and within third party ownership.”
The estate includes a number of listed buildings and historic garden.
Historic Courtyard Buildings at Kilwaughter Castle, in Larne, County Antrim.
The central block of the Courtyard Buildings.
He added the quarry has been mined since the 1930s, centring on limestone and limestone-based products. He indicated the applicant is seeking to quarry approximately 250,000 tonnes per annum.
He noted a number of woodland landscaping proposals to manage screening, integrate the development and to “help reduce the impact of the proposal from view”, particularly from Kilwaughter Castle and listed farm buildings.
Mr McGuinness informed the committee there have been 45 letters of objection and nine letters of support. He advised consultees were “satisfied" protections were in place to protect the castle.
However, he said since the previous planning decision last March, it has “become clear agreement could not be reached with the owner of Kilwaughter Castle and alternative options had to be considered”.
Mr McGuinness told the committee the applicant had submitted further documentation on December 1 relating to proposed restoration of five listed buildings within the estate instead of the proposed stabilisation of Kilwaughter Castle, a grade B1 listed building.
Kilwaughter Castle from above.
Quarry site (left of picture) with Kilwaughter Castle pictured, showing Courtyard Buildings to rear.
He went on to say that it is the opinion of the planning department that with the mitigation measures proposed and extensive conditions, approval can be recommended.
“The proposal will protect 200 jobs,” he stressed.
Gary Wilmot, chief executive, of Kilwaughter Minerals Ltd, told the meeting that previous approval involved a building not under the company’s control.
He added that restoration of five listed buildings would be “significant and support the proposal”.
He went on to say that work has been taking place on the site since the 1930s and the site is now in the “final phase of extraction”.
He said that the application is “regionally significant” and will sustain the operation for the next 15 years. Approval of the application, he confirmed would “underpin work for 250 employees”.
“In a time of uncertainty, it provides significant local economic positivity”, he stated.
Larne Lough DUP Alderman Paul Reid asked if potential noise and odour could be dealt with by conditions imposed.
Mr McGuinness said that although “noise would be the main issue”, during the past seven or eight years that he has been in post, there has never been a complaint.
“I am sure these people take the conditions seriously,” he emphasised.
Ald Reid proposed the committee approve the officer’s recommendation to grant planning permission, seconded by Coast Road DUP Cllr Angela Smyth. The application was approved unanimously following a vote.