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Functions of the Board: Quarries

This page outlines An Bord Pleanála's functions concerning quarries.

Section 261A of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as inserted by section 75 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 contains additional controls on quarry operations. An Bord Pleanála has been assigned additional functions under the section.

Subsections 261A (3), (4), (5) & (6)

Persons served with notices by the planning authority or persons given copies of the notices, as required by the section, may apply to An Bord Pleanála for a review of various decisions and determinations of planning authorities relating to the legal status of quarries vis-à-vis the EU Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Directives. Applications for review are made under subsection (6) and this subsection sets out the details of matters which may be reviewed and the procedure for review. (The notices in question would be served on the owners and/or operators of quarries and would either require the owners/operators to apply to An Bord Pleanála for substitute consent or would inform them that the planning authority intended to take enforcement action requiring the cessation of the operation of the quarry). In the event of the owners or operators of any quarry being required to make an application for substitute consent the application must be made to An Bord Pleanála under Part XA and section 177E.

 

Further amendments made to the Planning and Development Acts, as amended, in relation to quarry developments now also provide for the following quarry applications:

Subsection 261A(20)

Leave to apply for substitute consent for certain quarry developments which could not avail of the original section 261A process (as inserted by Regulation 8 of the European Union (EIA and Habitats) (No. 2) Regulations 2015).

Section 37L

Direct application for permission to An Bord Pleanála for proposed future quarry development on a quarry site that is subject to requirement for a substitute consent application for past quarrying as inserted by Regulation 4 of the European Union (EIA and Habitats) Regulations 2015.