Local group warns against widening rural Kildare road
Committee chair Jim Burke (centre) and Cllr Mark Leigh (left) with Ballyshannon Action Group members at their AGM, held in Ballyshannon Community Hall
ANY road maintenance works undertaken on the L8007 Ballyshannon road must not widen the road at the expense of biodiversity-critical grass verges, those attending the AGM of the Ballyshannon Action Group last week were told.
The group was formed six years ago to combat attempts by Kilsaran Build to establish a quarry on a farm on the road.
Committee chair Jim Burke said the width of the road, and consequent safety of local residents using it with potential heavy truck traffic, had been a key element in having the planning application quashed last year.
He said it was vital that any contractors doing maintenance for the council did not change the road width.
Reflecting on the past year, Jim Burke said it had been a good one for the group and the community.
The Coimisiún Pleanála decision quashing the Kilsaran planning application for a quarry at Racefield had been "a relief to all", he said.
"It has been a hard time, nearly six years. It was tough going, but we got through it."
He warned, though, that the community won't really have won until Kilsaran sells the land.
"They could potentially file an application again with the council and change whatever they can change."
The meeting heard that the statutory appeal against the Coimisiún Pleanála decision had still not been completed, and that there is as yet also no information on whether and when the group will have their legal costs reimbursed.
A grant towards biodiversity work received in the spring had been "well spent", the meeting heard.
The money was used to buy fruit trees, native hedgerow plants, and bird nesting boxes, which were distributed across the area, including some to Calverstown and the local scouts group.
Help with the biodiversity garden in Ballyshannon NS was also much appreciated.
In all, some 1,800 trees were planted.
It was agreed that the main focus for the group over the coming year will be on biodiversity, "keeping the area for future generations".
Plans include the provision of nature signs and further planting, all building on the Ballyshannon Biodiversity Plan produced in 2024 with the help of the Community Foundation and ecologist Catherine O'Connell.
The meeting re-elected Jim Burke as chair and Anna Sage as treasurer.
Shauna O'Rourke stepped down as secretary and was replaced by Clare Keon.
