More than 700 people have objected to a planning application for a jetty and ancillary buildings in the Murrough, two miles north of Wicklow town. The proposed development is for exporting stone aggregates and importing sand.
The Murrough is an unspoilt strip of land running along the east coast from Wicklow town beyond Kilcoole. It is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Dan Morrissey (Ireland), which made the application, owns several quarries, including one at Rathdrum. The application was lodged on July 15th and Wicklow County Council will decide within two months.
An application has also been submitted to the Department of the Marine for a foreshore licence. The aggregates will be brought to the site by rail on the nearby Dublin-Wexford track.
Mr John Glynn of Clonmannon Lodge said: "The Murrough is generally unspoilt and provides natural habitats for a varied and rich range of flora and fauna. Protected species, such as the otter and curlew live there, and migrating species such as the brent goose are regular vistors. The applicant's business is messy, noisy and prone to dust and regular operations would disrupt the fragile ecosystems on the Murrough as well as severely curtailing enjoyment of the amenity for users."
He said residents were concerned about the proposal which came without warning or consultation. It was intended that the aggregates would be brought to the area by rail and then exported from a jetty that would be 400m long. The jetty would be visible for miles. This was quite unnecessary, as there was a harbour in both Wicklow and Arklow that could take the aggregates.
It could also be exported from Dublin. The local road and infrastructure were insufficient to handle the type of vehicles used in the industry, which were heavy and could take loads of up to 60 tonnes. The coast road was narrow and unsuitable for such traffic.
Residents say the only access is a private country lane which is too narrow and has a rural character which could be ruined by heavy traffic. They are concerned that the business could grow to a bigger scale.
They feel there is so much land available that there was no end to what could develop there in the future. It would change the area out of all recognition.
They rejected the argument that the project would provide jobs, stating that most of the work would be done by heavy mechanical machinery and the employment content would be tiny.
Wicklow County Council chairman Mr Liam Kavanagh said the project provoked strong opposition and protest. He believed the issue would end up in an oral planning hearing before a Department of the Environment inspector. Planning was the county manager's function and councillors represented the views of the public. An oral hearing would allow everyone to express their opinions.
A spokeswoman for Dan Morrissey (Ireland) said nobody was available to comment on the application. It is understood that the company has submitted an environmental impact statement with its application which found there would be only minimum effect on the area.