Quarry Plan Faces Strong Opposition From Local Community Councils

A building company wants to build a quarry. It is near Hightae, at Cocket Hill. R D Nairn Construction made the plans and sent them to the council. Quarry work could get noisy there.

The plan includes an access track, screening two meters high, and a storage area. A welfare facility and a septic tank are also in the plans. Other work is needed as well.

Graham Smith works for the council’s planning team and he thinks it should happen. He listed nineteen rules for it, covering drilling, traffic, and safety. Many people living nearby disagree with the idea.

People in Hightae really do not want the quarry, and two local community councils also object. The quarry site covers 5.6 hectares of open fields up to 154m high. It is near Lockerbie and Rammerscales Wood.

The council got many objections; one hundred arrived, but most were late. Only twenty-four were on time, with twenty-three from Hightae residents and one from someone in Lochmaben. Four letters supported the plans.

Dalton and Carrutherstown Community Council objected, worried about the quarry’s impact. They also think traffic will get worse and roads might become unsafe. This could cause problems for people.

Royal Four Towns Community Council also said no, concerned about noise problems and heavy trucks. Dust could also be a problem, and they believe animals might suffer.

Galloway Fisheries Trust is also against it, needing more details about water impact. Historic Environment Scotland worries, too, because the quarry could hurt Rammerscales House. It’s a special, listed building.

The council’s health officer is okay with it, with some rules to limit noise and shaking. Blasting can only happen at certain times and only on weekdays and Saturday.

Council members will decide next Wednesday. They will consider all the opinions,then they will make the final decision.