An Bord Pleanála has refused permission for a quarry development near Killarney.
MF Quirke and Sons applied for planning permission for the continued use of the existing quarry over 23 hectares at Ballahacommane and an extension to the quarry at Ardaneanig over 11.3 hectares.
The development involved the extraction and processing of sand and gravel and the application included an Environmental Impact Assessment and Natura Impact Statement.
Kerry County Council had granted permission subject to almost 30 conditions, including that the permission would lapse after 20 years.
This was appealed by Noel O'Connell, Patrick Kelleher and others.
An Bord Pleanála refused permission due to a lack of clarity on the potential visual impact of the quarry extension and the cumulative effects of the developments.
It also pointed to an absence of adequate details and a timeframe for the restoration of the existing site.
An Bord Pleanála said it wasn't satisfied the applicant has a sufficient legal interest to continue to enable the use of the access road for quarrying.
The board said the proposed development would form a visually obtrusive feature on the landscape at this location and would seriously injure the amenities of the area.
