Concrete industry warns of quarry materials shortfall
The concrete industry has warned Ireland is facing a significant shortfall of materials such as stone, sand and gravel in future years because quarries are not being granted sufficient planning permissions.
The Irish Concrete Federation said the delivery of the Government's housing targets and major infrastructure projects are highly dependent on reliable supplies.
A study by engineering consultancy firm RPS for the Irish Concrete Federation, found the replenishment rates of quarries is running at 61% of the annual consumption.
The study found planning permission was refused for more than half of the volume of proposed extraction of sand, stone and gravel in greater Dublin between 2017 and last year.
It also highlighted delays obtaining planning to extend quarries or get permission for new sites.
It said: "During 2023, planning cases for aggregates (when subject to an appeal) were spending on average 146 weeks (33 months) in the planning process, almost five times the statutory objective period."
The report said there is "an urgent need for a National Policy Statement by the Irish Government to facilitate the long-term sustainable supply of essential aggregate materials".
It said the statement should explicitly recognise that stone, sand and gravel are a "strategic national resource", essential for the future development of Ireland and fundamental to meeting societal needs.
The RPS report said a typical new 3-bed semi-detached home requires approximately 300 tonnes of aggregates for construction, including foundations, floors, walls and roof tiles with larger houses requiring substantially more.
The report said: "A continued depletion of aggregate reserves in the Greater Dublin Area will eventually lead to increased haulage of large volumes of aggregates over longer distances from quarries located outside the region, thereby increasing fuel consumption, costs and greenhouse gas emissions."
Commenting on the report, Oisín Coghlan, a spokesman for the Environmental Pillar, said: "There is a new planning regulator An Coimisiún Pleanála. There is no reason why any one industry should get a pass or prioritisation.
"There is a lot the industry can do, the national and EU drive is towards less concrete per square foot, more efficiency less pollution and more recycled materials which we aren't using as much of in Ireland."
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Concrete industry warns of quarry materials shortfall
The concrete industry has warned Ireland is facing a significant shortfall of materials such as stone, sand and gravel in future years because quarries are not being granted sufficient planning permissions. The Irish Concrete Federation said the delivery of the Government's housing targets and major infrastructure projects are highly dependent on reliable supplies. A study by engineering consultancy firm RPS for the Irish Concrete Federation, found the replenishment rates of quarries is running at 61% of the annual consumption. The study found planning permission was refused for more than half of the volume of proposed extraction of sand, stone and gravel in greater Dublin between 2017 and last year. It also highlighted delays obtaining planning to extend quarries or get permission for new sites. It said: "During 2023, planning cases for aggregates (when subject to an appeal) were spending on average 146 weeks (33 months) in the planning process, almost five times the statutory objective period." The report said there is "an urgent need for a National Policy Statement by the Irish Government to facilitate the long-term sustainable supply of essential aggregate materials". It said the statement should explicitly recognise that stone, sand and gravel are a "strategic national resource", essential for the future development of Ireland and fundamental to meeting societal needs. The RPS report said a typical new 3-bed semi-detached home requires approximately 300 tonnes of aggregates for construction, including foundations, floors, walls and roof tiles with larger houses requiring substantially more. The report said: "A continued depletion of aggregate reserves in the Greater Dublin Area will eventually lead to increased haulage of large volumes of aggregates over longer distances from quarries located outside the region, thereby increasing fuel consumption, costs and greenhouse gas emissions." Commenting on the report, Oisín Coghlan, a spokesman for the Environmental Pillar, said: "There is a new planning regulator An Coimisiún Pleanála. There is no reason why any one industry should get a pass or prioritisation. "There is a lot the industry can do, the national and EU drive is towards less concrete per square foot, more efficiency less pollution and more recycled materials which we aren't using as much of in Ireland."
