A rural community south of Elgin is fears dust and noise from a proposed quarry could make their homes unliveable – describing the plans as putting “profit above people”.
An area of Dykeside farm, currently suitable for “arable use” has been proposed as the site for a sand and gravel quarry, the equivalent size of 24 football pitches.
The location lies on Elgin’s protected countryside around town zone (CAT) and local residents have been pushing back.
They say the plans will affect over 200 people with the amount of dust, noise and traffic the quarry will create.
Site developers, Aberdeen-based Leiths, have responded to the residents concerns saying there will be “no unacceptable effects” from noise or dust.
What do the community think about the quarry plans?
A local action group opposing the quarry plans has been helping the community have their say.
The group is chaired by Andy Wallis, who is also a community councillor, and along with other volunteers he has been working to bring the community together.
Currently, he says the nearby Cloddach and Gedloch quarries, along with nearby timber yard and distilleries create “manageable” noise.
“Everyone who has moved here has come here knowing that,” said Mr Wallis. “On the whole, all of those businesses engage with the community.”
Comparing it to Leiths’ plans, he said: “It’s a level of magnitude of disturbance and industrialisation which we have never seen here.”
“This is the green lung of Elgin. Put a spade anywhere in Moray you’ll find sand and gravel.
“The only reason they are digging it here is because it’s cheap and easy for them. It’s just profit before people.”
Dykeside quarry: ‘It’s just greed and profiteering’
Colin McCarthy works at RAF Lossiemouth and has lived in his home, which is next to the proposed quarry site, for 20 years.
He said: “We get change, but fundamentally it’s still quiet. It’s stress-free and still a nice place to stay.”
“But to have a quarry dropped 100 metres from your doorstep is just absolutely insane.”
Mr McCarthy said the dust and noise that inevitably escapes the site will impact his families’ garden and freedom to go outside.
“It’s money before people in countryside communities, it’s just greed and profiteering” added Mr McCarthy.
By the action group’s calculations, the quarry could be worth around £42.5 million to Leiths.
Ronnie Gillespie and his son Martin have been running an auto garage in the area for over 30 years.
Ronnie said: “Everybody’s got to make a living, but they can’t then ruin everybody else’s lives because of it.”
He says Leiths have dismissed their concerns of dust reaching the garage, which could ruin vehicle paintwork and cost them business.
“It’s profit and money, that’s literally all it is,” added Martin.
Fears about noise increase from Dykeside quarry
Chartered Accountant Iain Allan first noticed the proposals last year.
Since then, he has been fighting against the quarry, and was recently leafleting in Springfield’s new south Elgin development.
Mr Allan has called the Leiths’ noise reports, which say there will be no significant noise impact, into question.
“On paper, it reads like a small insignificant increase in decibels from the quarry.”
But he says the scale of measuring sound is not linear, and small increases can dramatically change noise levels for nearby houses.
“A ten decibel increase means a tenfold increase. We dispute their noise calculations completely.”
Above is the quarrying equipment Leiths are planning to use on the site if approved.
Mr Allan added: “I don’t have a problem with quarries. We’ve got to have quarries somewhere… but this is wrong location there is absolutely no doubt.”
“This is like an island of concrete arriving in a deep historical environment. The story of Birnie is largely wiped out if the quarry goes ahead.”
How have Leiths responded?
A Leiths spokesperson said: “[The quarry] will be an important addition to the supply of building materials within Moray for the construction of housing, roads, infrastructure and other developments.”
They added: “Following consultation with local residents in 2024 our proposals have undergone various refinements.
“We remain confident that the quarry will have no unacceptable effects, such as from noise or dust, on those living locally or the wider environment.”
The application is open for public comment until the 8th May and can be viewed here.
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