WORRIED villagers hope to put the brakes on controversial plans for a new quarry near Neilston.
Advance Construction want to develop a ‘hard rock quarry’ with associated access, a processing plant and lagoons on grassland at West Carswell, between Neilston and Lugton.
However, if approved, the new Dareduff Quarry would have up to 12 HGV movements per hour travelling through Neilston between 7am and 7pm.
READ MORE: Drivers should expect delays as road restrictions are put in place
A number of objections, including one from Neilston Community Council (NCC), have been lodged with East Ayrshire Council, which will have the final say on the plans.
In a letter to council chiefs, NCC raised concerns over road safety and an increase in both noise and pollution caused by heavy lorries travelling to and from the Dareduff site.
The group stated: “There have been a few major changes in this area that have taken place since the traffic survey was conducted, of which the applicants are probably not aware, which increase substantially the threat to pedestrians in general and children in particular.
“There are plans in place to build a new joint campus incorporating St Thomas’ Primary and Neilston Primary on the site of the existing Neilston Primary. While residents are fully supportive of the plans, concerns has been raised widely on the effect of construction traffic, displacement of staff vehicles from the staff car parks and parents’ vehicles.”
NCC added that these concerns had already been raised “before the additional danger of 40 to 50 heavy vehicles daily trying to thread their way through the traffic and pedestrians” was taken into consideration.
Councillor Paul O’Kane, who represents Neilston, is backing efforts to have the quarry plans rejected.
He told the Barrhead News: “As East Ayrshire Council are the planning authority, they will have the final say, so what we need to do within the communities in East Renfrewshire is to make objections known.
“There have been lots of concerns raised with me locally, particularly about the volume of traffic.
READ MORE: Cairn unveiled as lasting reminder of Barrhead man's generous donation
“I remember when I was young there was a landfill site up near where they are proposing the quarry and there was a big, big volume of traffic coming through Neilston and it wasn’t safe for older people or children.
“I don’t think anyone wants to go back to those days.”
However, Lynsey Breen, director of strategic operations at Advance Construction, has defended the quarry plans.
She said: “We are very excited about the Dareduff project, which will have a positive impact on the local economy and will help provide materials for public and private development in the local area. The application is supported by an environmental impact assessment which has considered the potential impacts of the development.
“Concerns regarding possible impacts such as traffic are understandable and so we propose mitigation measures such as preventing quarry traffic passing the local school at pick-up and drop-off times.”
Members of the public are invited to a community drop-in event at the Conservatory Café in Dunlop Village Hall on Thursday, June 6, from 5pm until 8pm, where they can ask questions about the quarry proposals.
Anyone who is unable to attend can ask questions by calling Wardell Armstrong on 0131 555 3311. Alternatively, send an email to abrown@wardell-armstrong.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article