Sorn: East Ayrshire Council Quarry plans no decision

Breedon Group operates Tincornhill Quarry, where the two facilities would be built, which is just over 2km from Sorn.

Plans for the facility have gathered over 50 objections so far from members of the public and groups.

A decision was set to be made on whether plans would be given the go-ahead at a recent East Ayrshire Council planning committee.

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However, committee chair, councillor Graham Barton updated members that the Sorn plans had been removed from the meeting agenda, and would be decided at a later date, citing a procedural matter for this reason.

According to proposals, the facilities would require six to 10 deliveries of materials to the site every week.

Sorn Community Council submitted a lengthy objection to the plans.

In their submission, the community council said that residents already have ‘serious concerns’ about the HGV traffic that comes through the conservation village to service the existing facility.

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The objection to East Ayrshire Council Planning Committee adds: “The road local infrastructure is not suited to the size and weight of the vehicles entering and exiting the quarry.

“The opening of new facilities or extending existing operations will only add to these problems and pressures.

“Whilst various protocols for traffic management have been put in place there are not always adhered to, and are difficult to monitor and report in terms of compliance.

The proposed layout of the concrete plant. (Image: East Ayrshire Council) “The new development proposals suggest that the main traffic route will be directed away from the village, however we have little confidence – based on current experience – that this will be effectively enforced, resulting in increased noise and HGV traffic movements through the village.

“The concerns in relation to traffic above are exacerbated by the proposal for 24 hour working. Whichever direction the lorries entering and exiting the quarry take they will pass residential and agricultural properties causing disturbance to residents.

“This is a completely new level of disruption. Should any of the night time
traffic movements pass through the village it would cause immense disruption to the lives of the community.

“Given the problems of enforcing traffic protocols even the occasional breach would be hugely disruptive.”

Other aspects of the application the community council objects to include noise and air pollution.

They also claim there has been a lack of community consultation.

Other objectors raised concerns about the environment, wildlife, visual impact, health and safety risks, air pollution, potential for polluted water supplies, increased traffic, and the archaeological impact on Blacksidend Cairn, Glen Carr Cairn and Sorn New Bridge.

Planning officers have recommended the application for approval, despite the concerns raised.

The site is located to the east of Sorn. (Image: Street view) A planning statement from developers states: "The environmental impacts of the proposal have been fully considered and the environmental studies which accompany this application and are summarised above confirm that with appropriate mitigation in place the proposals can be carried out without significant environmental impact.

"A planning policy appraisal has been undertaken taking into account the findings of the environmental studies. This policy appraisal confirms that the proposals accord with the Development Plan and other relevant material considerations and should be supported.

"In this regard, it is considered the proposals are acceptable in respect of their impact upon the environment and compliant with planning policy and therefore planning permission should be granted."

You can view the full plans on the council's planning page, by searching for application 22/0473/PP.