Opposition grows to Ochils quarry plans

Feb 4 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

OPPOSITION is growing to proposals for sand and gravel quarrying near Glendevon village in the Ochils, writes Alison Anderson.

Cemex UK Operations have lodged a planning application with Perth and Kinross Council which, if approved, would result in the extraction of sand and gravel until 2035 in Glenquey, an area popular with walkers and tourists.

Opponents include the Friends of the Ochils, who claim the quarry would seriously damage the landscape, as well as flora and fauna.

Campaigners have also expressed concern over road safety on the “extremely dangerous” A823 through Glen Devon.

Friends chairman Stuart Dean said: “The Ochils are a vital recreational resource for the people of Central Scotland. The Glendevon area is visited by thousands each year.

“New paths have been created through the local hills thanks to the efforts of Woodland Trust Scotland and more and more people are coming to the area to enjoy the countryside.

“Over 9000 people a year walk the popular right of way between Dollar and Glendevon and that route would go right past the quarry site.”

Friends of the Ochils recently held a public meeting in Muckhart Hall which was attended by more than 70 Muckhart and Glendevon area residents.

“They were all horrified at the prospect of a quarry in the Ochils and a resultant huge increase in the number of HGVs on local roads,” added Mr Dean.

“The quarry, although in Perth and Kinross, would be visible from the Clackmannanshire Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and Clackmannanshire Council are being asked to object to the development.”

Auchterarder, Dollar, Muckhart and Fossoway community councils, the Friends group and Muckhart and Glendevon Amenity Society have also objected.

Cemex’s application involves a variation of a condition of planning permission granted in September 1984 to enable mineral works to continue to 2035.

The 30-hectare site between the A823 and the Glenquey reservoir is grazing land.

But Mr Dean asserted: “The quarry would generate hundreds of additional HGV lorry movements each week on the extremely dangerous A823 and beyond.

“There were three fatalities on that road last year and there is already a higher than average accident rate.

“It would be totally irresponsible to permit such an increase in HGVs.”

He was supported by local resident Paul Evans, who lives on the A823 just a few hundred yards from the quarry site.

“We would experience a major increase in HGVs along the A823,” he declared.

“The danger to other road users would increase hugely.”

Fellow resident Malcolm Best slammed: “An industrial quarry in the heart of the hills would shatter the peace and tranquillity of the area.

“The sound of birdsong and the bleating of sheep would be replaced by the noise of industrial machinery and heavy lorries.”

Mr Dean called on PKC to acknowledge changed attitudes towards the preservation of great scenic beauty since 1984’s licence granting.

“They must reject this insidious application and instead start considering how best to protect this beautiful part of the Ochils for future generations,” he said.

“Designating it as an AGLV as in neighbouring Clackmannanshire would be a start.”

Cemex have also lodged an application to construct a haul road, which involves access changes.

Copious documentation submitted by the applicants includes an environmental impact statement on pre-quarrying tree planting proposals, eventual restoration and phased extraction.

PKC’s target date for determining the application is April 19, with submissions to be made by February 16.