THE Aga Khan’s Irish manager and the CEO of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association have both expressed their disappointment over a decision by An Bord Pleanala to allow a concrete company extract three million tonnes of sand and gravel from a 32-hectare site in Kilcullen, Co Kildare.

Permission for the quarry had already been refused by Kildare County Council but this decision has been overturned with a ruling in favour of Kilsaran Concrete, who are expected to work at the site for 12 years.

Pat Downes of the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud told The Irish Times: “It is disappointing and it is a turnaround from what Kildare County Council had decided. Kildare has been promoted as the thoroughbred county in Ireland for very good reason so, from that point of view, I am disappointed.”

Objections

The scheme attracted 229 objections including one from local resident Ruby Walsh who noted: “Investors in thoroughbreds will not want to have horses in such an area as this if the quarry starts.”

In his objection, Downes said: “Certainly for our business, it could result in a relocation of stock to France with the inevitable result of job losses”.

Unusually, An Bord Pleanala’s own inspector recommended that planning be refused due to the likely noise, general disturbance and negative impact on property prices.

However, the board noted that the inspector was not concerned about air quality and visual impact.

Shane O’Dwyer of the ITBA told The Irish Times: “Our primary concern is the effect that the development may have on the respiratory tract of the horse who is an equine athlete.

“There are substantial bloodstock breeding enterprises located in the area and each could be significantly affected considering these operations are located within a three kilometre range of the proposed development.

“Breeders need to operate in a clean, green environment and our members contend that the development will severely affect breeding of thoroughbred horses.”