A community that fought off controversial plans to prolong the life of a quarry is facing a new battle.
Construction giant Cemex UK’s quarrying plans at Glenquey Moss, near Glendevon, were kicked out by councillors last Christmas after a deluge of complaints from residents but the company has appealed to Scottish ministers urging them to overturn the decision.
The company argues the council’s reasons for refusal are “unsubstantiated” and insists the development would be a boost for the area because a planned new haul road to the site would be “desirable” and “offer enhanced highway and pedestrian safety benefits”.
A spokesman for the firm complained it took four years for Perth and Kinross Council to determine the planning application.
He said: “Cemex UK has invested time and money in the planning application process on a site where… the principle of development is acceptable.
“The delay has caused uncertainty to the company and the loss of time for implementation of the proposal is further exacerbated by the lead in time associated with the lead-in time for the initiation of extraction on site, resulting in potential supply constraints.”
Permission to extract sand and gravel from Glenquey Moss was first granted in the 1960s but since then only a small amount of work has taken place.
Cemex UK, which runs the 74-acre site at the foot of the Ochils, applied to the council for extra time to progress production. Bosses had hoped to keep digging for minerals until 2035.
PLanners, who supported the move, received more than 100 objections from residents.
Community councillors from Auchterarder, Muckart, Dollar and Fossoway all called for the scheme to be scrapped. Neighbouring Clackmannanshire Council had also urged counterparts in Perth and Kinross to throw out the plan.
Opponents argued the quarry expansion could pose a safety risk, with more HGV lorries using surrounding roads.
They also argued the development would have a detrimental visual impact on the moss area, which attracts around 9,000 visitors each year.
Malcolm Best from the Friends of Ochils Group, which campaigned against the extension plan said: “It is incredibly disappointing that Cemex have decided to appeal to the Scottish ministers despite the unanimous decision to refuse by the council’s development management committee and the massive amount of local opposition.”
He said: “By accepting the committee’s decision, Cemex had an opportunity to prove their commitment to the environment and they have chosen not to do so.
“The appeal lodged simply repeats the weak arguments repeatedly put forward by Cemex and these arguments have already been shot down in flames.
“Cemex have once again decided not to address the very serious concerns that have been raised by us, their partners and many others over the last four years.
“The location of the site is simply no longer an appropriate location,.
“Cemex has not shown there is a need for a quarry at this location and the fact a licence was first granted in 1963 and the site has never been worked is very powerful evidence that this site is not required.”
Mr Best added: “Glenquey Moss is a highly valued and much appreciated part of the Ochils and deserves to be protected, as is required under current National and EU legislation.
“The Ochils are a wonderful range of hills and given they can be accessed within an hour by 75% of Scotland’s population we should be seeking to ensure they remain an attractive outdoor recreation and tourist attraction.
“We urge the Scottish ministers, through the DPEA appeals process, to uphold the decision by the PKC DMC to refuse the Cemex planning application.”
The DPEA, is expected to make its decision by early June.