Plans for 200,000-tonne washing plant in Meath get green light
One of Ireland’s leading manufacturers of concrete products has been given the green light to construct a new energy-efficient washing plant in Meath.
The development, planned for Kilmessan by Kilsaran Concrete Unlimited Company, will process up to 200,000 tonnes of sand, gravel, and stone annually from imported soil and stone materials.
The approved plans include essential infrastructure and equipment, such as gantries, conveyors, washing systems, screeners, and sludge presses, along with all necessary ancillary works.
A new weighbridge with a 20-square-metre control office, controlled barrier, and CCTV system will also be provided to manage internal queuing of heavy goods vehicles on site.
The development incorporates revisions to the previously permitted restoration scheme, including updated landform profiles reflecting operational efficiencies, as well as additional planting and biodiversity enhancements to support eventual restoration for agricultural use.
Meath County Council outlined 14 conditions for the development approved on November 24. These include limiting production of recycled aggregates for off-site dispatch to a maximum of 200,000 tonnes per annum, requiring the site to be used for agricultural purposes only, and permitting only clean, uncontaminated sand, gravel, soil, and stones on site.
Before work can begin, the developer must submit a detailed Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) for the planning authority’s written agreement.
The CEMP will cover collection and disposal of construction waste, surface water run-off, on-site road construction, and environmental management measures during construction, including working hours, noise control, dust and vibration control, and monitoring of such measures.
The developer will also contribute €200,000 toward local road restoration.