By Sean Moriarty

Residents of the Clasheen and Minish areas are calling on the entire population of Killarney to join their objection to a new asphalt manufacturing plant that is set to be built in the area.

Last week (May 18) Kerry County Council granted planning permission to Roadstone to build the plant on the site of its old quarry near Minish.

The planning was granted despite several concerns raised by local residents.

Apart from noise and pollution concerns residents are also worried that the new plant will go against the Killarney Smoke Free Zone policy that came into effect on September 1 last year. The Clasheen Quarry is within the boundaries of the Killarney Smoke Free Zone.

Residents have two weeks to register their objections with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Under the terms of the planning process it is understood that Roadstone has also applied for an Air Emissions Licence to operate the asphalt plant.

“I can’t get my head around the fact that I can’t buy or burn smoky fuel and Roadstone can get an Air Emissions Licence,” resident David Murphy told the Killarney Advertiser.

“This will affect the whole Killarney area, the smoke from this plant will be seen for miles around. It will emit pollution and dirt particles into the air.”

Roadstone operate several similar asphalt manufacturing plants across the country. The company’s sites service local road repair and resurfacing works.

“Roadstone operates in line with all relevant environmental, health and safety and other regulatory and planning conditions. The plant at Clasheen will supply asphalt for use in road surfacing works in the local area,” a Roadstone spokesperson told the Killarney Advertiser.

A Kerry County Council statement issued to the Killarney Advertiser said:

"The licence includes a series of conditions covering various aspects of the operation of the proposed plant, monitoring of emissions etc.

"The licence is broadly in keeping with the proposal as submitted with the application, however, there are some slight changes in certain areas. The application was subject to a detailed assessment, including air dispersion modelling, odour assessment etc. The submissions received were noted and considered as part of the application assessment process. The relevant legislation does not specify a lifespan for a licence of this type, therefore, the licence does not have a specified expiration date. However, there is scope for a future review of the licence in certain circumstances. Finally, it should be noted that any party may appeal the decision to grant the licence. The EPA is the designated appeals body in this instance."