Plans have been submitted to fill in an unused quarry near Athenry.
MPL Plant Hire are seeking planning permission to refill a disused quarry at Barrettspark, Athenry with inert material.
The old stone quarry is located just north of the M6 Galway-Athlone motorway.
A flood risk assessment report was submitted with the application which said there was a low risk of flooding as the site does not impede the flow of water, and that any surface run-off would be dealt with by filling in the pit.
An Appropriate Assessment Screening report said that this project would not impact on any protected conservation sites, the closest are Lough Corrib and Galway Bay SACs, both over 4km away.
An Taisce made a submission to the county council saying that as this site is adjacent to the existing Cashla Quarry, a cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment is needed for the project.
In response the developer said that Cashla quarry is a completely separately owned property, and no part of this project.
One local resident also objected to the plans one the grounds that their local road is not suitable for the heavy duty traffic that would come with this kind of project.
The individual was concerned about the traffic hazard this would pose, and also said that more environmental assessment is needed.
Galway county council is due to make a decision on this planning application by May 1.
