On the Instructions of David Carson Deloitte Receiver & Manager
LOCATION
The quarry site is located in the townland of Tonroe, approximately 1.5 kilometres north of the settlement of Ardrahan, a small village located on the N18 (Galway-Ennis Road) between Oranmore and Gort. The site is located on lands to the immediate north of the N18.
The quarry is not contiguous to the N18, it is located on lands approximately 300 metres north-east. The site is served by a narrow unclassified road which runs to the west of the site. A narrow third class road is also located to the south-east of the site. There are a number of detached house along this stretch of road.There are a number of dwellings facing directly onto the N18 and the lands to the rear of these dwellings are contiguous to the south-western boundary of the site. These dwellings comprise of a mixture of older rural cottages interspersed with newer, one off houses. There are no dwellings to the immediate north of the site.With regard to land uses, the area in the immediate vicinity of the site is predominantly agricultural and is mainly used for grazing. A large wooded area in the townland of Gregmore, is located to the north of the site.
THE PROPERTY
The property consists of a limestone quarry and related ancillary facilities. The existing quarried area on-site has an area of approximately 14.5 hectares. The quarry consists of 2 benches of approximately 10 meters in height. The lower bench of the quarry floor is at approximately 14 mOD at its lowest point. Ground levels vary along the perimeter of the site and are at their highest along the Southeastern boundary of the site at approximately 38 mAOD.
The weighbridge and site office are located immediately adjacent to the entrance gate. The edge of the site is generally demarcated by a post and wire fence. Lands not yet excavated essentially comprise gorse and dense vegetation.
TITLE
Freehold.
PLANNING
Planning permission for quarrying extraction of limestone was granted by An Bord Pleanala in May 2003 (Plan. Ref. No. 01/3582; ABP Ref. No. PL 07.129246).This included continuance of use area approx. 7.2 ha and extension over an area of approx. 12.1 ha. A condition attached to the permission limited the duration to 7 years - May 2010. Future extraction would require planning permission.
LIMESTONE RESERVES
A preliminary assessment indicates that there are approx. 2.5 million tonnes of extractable limestone on the site.
