Finnegans Sand Quarry

ECOLOGY

Finnegans Sand Quarry,
Co Galway

MKO was commissioned by Finnegans Sand Ltd. to prepare a Planning and Environmental Report (PER), to accompany a planning application for an extension to the existing Finnegans Sand Quarry, Dunmore, Co. Galway. MKO acted as overall project managers, with responsibility for the preparation of the PER and planning application. Input from a number of specialists was also required during the course of the project. Planning permission for the quarry extension was granted by Galway County Council in March 2023.

Project challenges

The proposed extension area was considered to be below the threshold for developments that require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Therefore, MKO undertook a comprehensive EIA Screening Exercise, which included a sub-threshold assessment in accordance with Schedule 7 Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended).

MKO prepared the PER to document the current state of the environment in the vicinity of the proposed development site to quantify the possible effects, if any, of the proposed development on the environment. The cultural heritage assessment indicated that given the presence of recorded archaeological monuments in the vicinity of the site, the archaeological potential of the proposed development area was increased. Mitigation measures proposed in the cultural heritage assessment included pre-development archaeological testing, preservation in situ (avoidance) and preservation by record (excavation).

Main services provided

01

Strategic planning advice

02

Pre-application consultation

03

EIA screening report

04

Planning and Environmental Report (PER) preparation

05

Archaeological investigation and testing

06

Planning application preparation and management

07

Response to Further information request

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Contact

Finnegans Sand Quarry, Co Galway