An army of objectors has mobilised forces to fight plans for a major quarry in Perthshire which could operate six days a week for the next 20 years.
Already, four community councils, a neighbouring local authority and more than 100 individuals have lodged objections with Perth and Kinross Council, claiming a quarry at Glenquey Moss, Glendevon, would “industrialise” the Ochils and create traffic chaos.
A popular tourist draw more than 9,000 people a year walk the right of way from Dollar to Glendevon objectors fear up to 60 lorry movements a day on narrow, winding country roads would be a hazard and destroy the tranquillity of a number of villages.
Permission to extract sand and gravel from the 30 hectare site in the foothills of the Ochils was first granted decades ago but only a small amount of extraction has ever taken place.
Now Cemex UK is seeking to extend permission for the working of minerals until 2035 and construct a haul road. It claims starting quarrying will create six new jobs and support 10 more posts.
The controversial application will be considered by the council’s development management committee today but officials warn decisions made in past years may tie their hands.
“As there is a valid consent and this application is to vary a condition to extend the period of working rather than being a new application, it should be noted that the principle of the quarry development on this site is established,” says Nick Brian, development quality manager, in a report to go before the committee.
Objectors claim it would be appropriate to reject the request as the nature of the area has changed significantly in recent years, with the planting of trees and the growth of recreational use.
They say the scale of the proposal it could operate 12 hours a day from Monday to Friday and six hours on a Saturday to extract 140,000 tonnes of material a year has set alarm bells ringing in rural communities near the site.
A survey revealed existing noise levels were made up of “sheep bleating, leaves rustling and birdsong” and Malcolm Best of the Stop the Quarry: Save Glenquey campaign group said equating this to the mechanical noise of the operation was “ridiculous”. “Quarries and related haul roads are noisy dirty industrial sites and this is incompatible with the current use,” he said.
“To use this area for a quarry (together with related haul road) will be a tragedy. The Ochils have benefited from significant funding in recent years which has enhanced their attractiveness.”
The Friends of the Ochils have endorsed his stance and maintain the A823 is already dangerous due to the lack of footpaths, narrowness of the road and blind bends and would struggle to cope with the anticipated volume of lorries.
The strength of feeling is shown in objections from the community councils representing Auchterarder, Muckhart, Dollar and Fossoway and District.
Clackmannanshire Council is also urging their counterparts on Perth and Kinross Council to reject the proposal.
They say the road safety implications for their district have not been properly explored and express concerns about what it would mean for tourism.
Other issues raised in the 108 letters of objection include the impact on biodiversity and habitat, possible pollution of watercourses, an increase in carbon emission, the adverse impact on local businesses and the lack of local consultation.