2.0 SITE LOCATION AND CONTEXT

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1 2.0 SITE LOCATION AND CONTEXT 2.1 SITE LOCATION The Lagan Cement Plant is located in the south-western corner of County Meath adjacent to the County Westmeath border (see Figure 2.1). The cement plant is approximately 60km by road from Dublin and Athlone, and approximately 17km southeast of Mullingar. More specifically, the cement plant is approximately 2.5km southwest of Kinnegad and 1.2km north of Ballinabrackey. However, it should be noted that Lagan Cement s overall landholding extends to approximately 300m from the northern edge of Ballinabrackey (see Figure 2.2). Figure 2.1: Site Location Cavan Louth Westmeath Subject Site Meath Dublin Kildare OS Licence No. AR Figure 2.2: Approximate Extent of Lagan Cement s Landholding Source: Ordnance Survey Discovery Series; annotated by Tom Phillips + Associates (Reproduced under OS Licence No. AR ). Environmental Impact Statement 2-1

2 2.2 SITE CONTEXT AND CHARACTERISTICS The application site occupies a total area of approximately hectares, whilst the area of Lagan s overall landholding is approximately hectares (see Figure 2.3). Lagan Cement s landholding borders the Kinnegad River to the north and straddles a county road under which a connecting underpass has been constructed. The limestone quarry lies to the south of this county road (see Plate 2.1), with the shale quarry located to the north. Figure 2.3: Lagan Cement Landholding and Application Site Realigned N6 Cement Plant Shale Quarry Existing Limestone Quarry Site Entrance Asphalt Plant Application Site ( ha) Landholding in ownership of Lagan Cement Ltd ( ha) Ballinabrackey Source: Reproduced under OS Licence No. AR (annotated by Tom Phillips + Associates). Environmental Impact Statement 2-2

3 The cement works are located on the western side of the site (see Plate 2.2), where they are well screened by higher land to the north. An asphalt plant is located to the southeast of the quarry. Plate 2.1: Existing Limestone Quarry Plate 2.2: Existing Cement Plant The lands into which it is proposed to extend the existing quarry predominantly comprise of agricultural lands (see Plate 2.3). However, there is also an area of cutover peat bog to the south of the existing limestone quarry (see Plate 2.4). Further to this, there is a cluster of old agricultural sheds to the north of the limestone quarry (see Plate 2.5) and a residential property along the southern boundary of the application site (see Plate 2.6). Plates 2.3 and 2.4: Agricultural Lands and Cutover Peat Bog to the East and South Plate 2.5: Disused Sheds to the North Plate 2.6: Dwelling House to the South Environmental Impact Statement 2-3

4 There are also 110kv ESB lines traversing the southern portion of the application site (see Plates 2.7 and 2.8) and connecting with the sub-station, which is located within the area of the cement plant. The proposed development will require the re-routing of the 110kv ESB lines in the long-term. ESB International have been consulted on this matter and have indicated that the lines may be diverted to facilitate the proposed development. These works will require detailed design and will be subject to a separate planning application. This matter is detailed in Section of this EIS. Plates 2.7 and 2.8: 110kv ESB Lines Traversing the Southern Portion of the Site Lands surrounding the subject site can be described as rural in character. Residential properties in the vicinity of the site primarily comprise of one-off dwellings fronting onto the county roads to the east and west of the site. In addition, there are a number of residential properties within the village of Ballinabrackey, which is located between approximately 300m and 600m south of the application site. The nearest surface watercourse to the application site is the Kinnegad River, which forms the northern boundary of Lagan Cement s landholding. The general character of the landscape immediately north of the site is an open river valley with few trees and only low intermittent hedges. A number of field boundaries near the Kinnegad River are simple post and wire fences. The course of the Kinnegad River has been straightened in sections, including that forming the northern boundary of the overall cement plant site. To the east is slightly higher ground with dense tree and hedge cover, while to the west is an area of open fields and hedges lying along the valley of the Kinnegad River. 2.3 LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT The existing cement works received Planning Permission from An Bord Pleanála on 26 April 2000 (MCC Reg. Ref. 98/2026 ABP Ref. PL ). The Cement Works and associated activities were also licensed by the EPA in 2000 (Covered in IPPC Licence Reg. No. PO ). The cement works also received planning permission for an increase in the processing capacity of the cement kiln (from 450,000 to 600,000 tonnes per annum) on 16 August 2004 (MCC Reg. Ref. TA40228). A revised IPC licence for the production increase was issued by the EPA in November 2003 (IPC Licence Reg. No. 665). Planning permission was also granted on 21 June 2005 Environmental Impact Statement 2-4

5 for Reg. Ref. TA50145 (the use of Meat and Bone meal as an alternative fuel in the cement production process). Planning Permission was granted for an asphalt plant (now operational) to the southeast of the existing limestone quarry (Meath County Council Planning Reg. Ref. No. 01/967). The subject site is not under any Regional, National or European Environmental designation nor will it affect any: Sites placed on a list in accordance with Chapter 1 of SI 94 of 1997; Sites where consultation has been initiated in accordance with Article 5 of the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC); European sites as defined in Article 2 of SI 94 of The proposed development will equally have no impact on any of the areas of Primary Amenity Value or Protected Views outlined in the Development Plan. 2.4 PUBLIC CONSULTATION Lagan Cement Ltd is committed to making sure that the community around the cement plant is afforded easy access to information on the proposal. There is a structured process of consultation and communication in place with the local community and other stakeholders, including the circulation of a newsletter. 2.5 LAGAN CEMENT PLANT The Lagan Cement Plant is located in the townland of Killaskillen and has a permitted production rate of 700,000 tonnes of cement per annum (Meath County Council Planning Reg. Ref. No. TA60580). The cement plant operates 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. There are currently 140 persons permanently employed on site. Environmental Impact Statement 2-5