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Should The Harris Superquarry Go Ahead? Essay, Research Paper

Should The Harris Superquarry Go Ahead?

Rural Economic Development

Kenneth Mercer BSc

Rural Resources III

16th December 1994

TABLE OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1 LOCATION OF THE SUPERQUARRY3

1 SUMMARY

There is considerable environmental opposition to the development of the Harris

superquarry. This is unlikely to stop the development on its own, but if the

Scottish Office decides that the project can go ahead environmental

restrictions are likely to be imposed on the operation to minimise, as far as

possible, the impact. The reasons for the development centre round the need

for economic development to bring jobs and prosperity to this remote area. The

life of the quarry is expected to be around 60 years and provide an initial 30

jobs, rising to 80 as the quarry reaches peak production. The question is if

a superquarry is the best solution to the problems of a remote rural area.

What will happen when the jobs come to an end and would another form of

investment not be more appropriate to their needs? Would the presence of a

quarry restrict the choice for further development? Could an integrated

approach be adopted and a 2nd generation quarry planned? The decision of

whether or not to go ahead cannot be delayed indefinitely as Norway and Spain

are looking at developing their own. If it is to go ahead then an early start

will give Harris a stronger position in the market.

2 INTRODUCTION

This report examines the controversy and key issues surrounding the superquarry

at Rodel, Lingerbay on the southern coast of the Isle of Harris (Figure 1) and

attempts to find an acceptable solution. The quarry will hollow out the heart

of the mountain but leave enough of a shell to leave the skyline largely

unaffected. The whole question of whether or not it should go ahead or not is

the subject of the current public enquiry in Stornaway. A decision must be

made soon. The market for aggregates is limited, Norway and Spain (Section 3.1,

1991) have their own sites and are also looking at the potential for developing

them.

FIGURE 1 LOCATION OF THE SUPERQUARRY

(Glasgow Herald, 20/10/94)

3 THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE DEBATE

3.1 History

1927A detailed geological survey identified the deposit of anorthosite.

1965Planning permission was given in principle to quarry the rock. The

remit covered a larger site than is planned today.

1966Some small scale quarrying took place but found an on site rock crushing

plant and a deep harbour were necessary for economic viability.

74-76Outline planning permission was given for quarrying, shipping and

loading facilities but this was never acted on.

1977The Scottish Office issued National Planning Guidelines. Harris was

identified as one of 9 potential sites. (The Scotsman 18/7/93)

1980Ian Wilson, a Scottish entrepreneur specialising in minerals, persuaded

Ralph Verney, the advisor to the environmental secretary, to recommend a large

scale study on the potential of superquarrys in Scotland. The Scottish Office

commissioned Dalradian Mineral Services – Wilson and Colin Gribble – to write a

report on the prospects. It was published in 1980 and listed 16 potential

sites including 5 key sites, one of which was Rodel. Many of the mineral rites

were bought by Wilson before he published the report, the rest he acquired

later. He sold his idea for the Harris superquarry at Rodel (Figure 1) to

Redland Aggregates, and if the quarry goes ahead, he will receive a royalty for

each tonne of rock removed. (New Scientist 1994)

1981Outline planning permission was given for quarrying but it was not on a

large enough scale to be economically viable.

1988The Scottish Office asked the Western Islands Island Council to develop

a policy on mineral extraction. This has still not been done.

1989Government Planning Guidance Notes predicted a demand for crushed rock.

1991Consultants Ove Arup surveyed the potential for sites and identified 12

in Norway, 1 – 2 in the north of Spain and less than 4 in Scotland.

Redland Aggregates submitted a new planning application to the Western Isles

Island Council.

1992The Scottish Office issued a draft report which recognised the potential

for Rodel but found that socio-economic benefits needed to be balanced with

environmental consequences. (The Scotsman 18/7/93)

1993A poll was sent out to 1822 islanders asking them to vote on the issue.

1109 replied, which amounted to a 60.9% response. The results showed that the

majority of the Islanders were in favour of the quarry. The votes cast were as

follows: For, 682 (62.1%) and Against, 417 (37.9%). There was a strong

regional variation though, the further from the site the people were, the more

in favour they tended to be. (Glasgow Herald 17/6/93) A week later this poll

resulted in the Western Islands Council voting in favour of the planning

application by 24 votes to 3. (Glasgow Herald 25/6/93) Western Isles Island

Council held a Special meeting in Tarbet. (The Scotsman 18/7/93) The

Department of the Environment concluded that England could not meet its own

demands for aggregates. (New Scientist 1994)

1994A Royal commission report concluded that the demand for aggregates for

road construction would be considerably cut by reducing our current

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