A CONSTRUCTION company is facing stiff opposition to its plans to develop a rock quarry site on land at Cocket Hill near Hightae.
R D Nairn Construction in Lochmaben has submitted plans to Dumfries and Galloway Council which could lead to noisy quarrying work at the location.
The application also seeks permission for creating an access track, installing two metre high screening, a hardstanding area for storage of materials, the siting of a ‘welfare facility’, installation of a temporary septic tank and soakaway, and other associated works.
Council planning case officer Graham Smith is recommending that the development goes ahead, subject to a list of 19 conditions around drilling operations, traffic plans, and safety provisions.
However, the scheme has prompted a flurry of objections from nearby residents in Hightae, along with two community councils.
Council papers explain that the application site is 5.6 hectares of open fields on the southern slope of Cocket Hill extending up to 154m. It is located around four miles south-west of Lockerbie, and near to Rammerscales Wood.
There were 100 letters of objections to the plans, however 76 of those were not submitted in time for the council’s planning consultation deadline. Of the 24 timely objections, 23 came from residents in Hightae and one in Lochmaben.
Meanwhile, there were four letters of support submitted to the council.
Dalton and Carrutherstown Community Council objected too, stating: “Representations have been made to the Dalton and Carrutherstown Community Council from residents with regard to the proposed quarry at Rammerscales, Hightae and the impact that the potential changes will have on the villages and surrounding area and the people that live there.
“Many residents believe that if the application for the quarry were to be passed, there would be a significant detrimental effect on local traffic and the safety and quality of life for our villages and surrounding areas within our parish.
“Roads in our area, which include the B7020 and the B725, which are likely to be key routes to and from the quarry, are fairly narrow roads and residents are very concerned about the added dangers and difficulties large industrial vehicles will bring to the area for local and general road users including pedestrians and cyclists.”
Royal Four Towns Community Council also objected after members discussed the matter at a meeting in January last year. Their main concerns included noise, heavy goods traffic, dust, and negative impact on wildlife.
Galloway Fisheries Trust also said no to the proposals due to lack of detail or assessments showing the impact of the development on watercourses in the vicinity.
Meanwhile, Historic Environment Scotland has concerns that the quarry may potentially affect Rammerscales House, which is a listed building in the vicinity of the site.
However, the council’s environmental health officer had no objection – subject to conditions. This includes limits around noise and vibration levels, and restricting quarry blasting works to: Mondays to Fridays 9 am-5 pm, and Saturdays 10 am–12 noon.
Councillors will weigh up all arguments and make the final decision at next Wednesday’s planning committee.
