2360042: The demolition of existing disused buildings and the development of a dimension stone quarry with a projected lifetime of c. 14 years (12 – 13 years operational with an additional 1-year to allow for the implementation of a restoration plan) at this site of c. 9.34 hectares at Bannagagole, Old Leighlin, Co. Carlow. The proposed quarry void (c. 2.44 ha) will be extracted to a depth of 2 no. benches of c. 10m from top of bedrock, with a final floor level of c. 56.5m AOD with a proposed rate of rock extraction of c.30,000 cubic metres (84,000 tonnes) per annum. A proposed working area of c. 1.2 hectares to the south of the extraction zone will provide for the crushing / processing of unusable stone and temporary storage of dimensional stone and will include machinery storage shed (c. 115m²), staff welfare (c. 45.7 m²), wastewater holding tank, weighbridge & Office (c. 14m²) and staff car parking area. The proposed development will also include for earthen screening berms to a height of c. 3 m, a wheelwash facility; Installation of surface water attenuation and settlement ponds for the treatment of suspended solids in the floor of the quarry void; soil storage area with an average storage depth of c. 4 m and all other site development works above and below ground including the restoration of the final quarry void (extractive area). Access to the proposed development will be facilitated by a HGV site entrance from the L3036 at the eastern boundary of the proposed site. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been submitted

Risk of surface water and groundwater contamination from blasting not adequately assessed. Significant effects on the SAC cannot be excluded on the basis of objective information.

it cannot be excluded, on the basis of objective information that the proposed development will not have a significant effect on the River Barrow and River Nore SAC