Cove residents are facing further controversial construction work at a quarry site, unless the plans are held up by rare birds.
Blackhills Quarry at Cove, owned by Leiths, could release 6.36 million tonnes of rock during a period of up to 30 years as a result of a major expansion.
Leiths is one of the largest quarrying companies in Scotland and its Blackhills site produces a wide range of dry aggregates, rock armour, architectural and dimension stone, ready mix concrete and coated asphalt materials to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The Kincardine and Mearns area committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss the proposals to extend the quarry.
But the expansion site is less than half a mile away from a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), designated for its maritime cliff vegetation and its population of Dickie’s bladder fern.
Scottish Natural Heritage said the proposal will “not have an adverse effect on the notified features of Cove SSSI”, but confirmed that investigations need to be undertaken to see if badgers or peregrine falcons are present.
It stated: “SNH notes that peregrine do not currently nest within the quarry but that if they attempt to nest, a 25-metre buffer zone will be set up.
“Peregrine are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
“If peregrine begin nesting in the quarry, further consideration will be required to ensure appropriate measures are in place to ensure no offence is inadvertently committed.”
Residents have compared strong blasts at Blackhills Quarry to an “earthquake”, and said yesterday they were surprised at the potential expansion.
On Lochinch Road, as noise could be heard from the quarry in the distance, they spoke of “dirt, dust and mess”.
One said: “The noise isn’t that bad, it’s the dirt and dust. We can’t open our windows because all the mess gets in.”
Another said: “We haven’t been consulted by Leiths. I had no idea this was happening.
“They aren’t the best neighbours but hopefully more information will come out. I think an issue for lots of people are the large lorries on the roads in the area.”
A Leiths spokesman said: “The quarry extension, which is located further away from Cove than the existing quarry, will secure the longer-term future of our Blackhills Quarry and its employees.
“The quarry is well located to supply Aberdeen and the surrounding area with a wide range of important construction materials for homes, infrastructure and business.
“All quarry blasts are designed to ensure that vibration levels fall within the limits specified in our planning permission and within government guidance.”
