A concerned couple who live 120 metres from a proposed quarry in the Howe of Fife have added their voice to fears over the potential health implications from sand and gravel dust.
Fife Council’s North-east Fife area committee will consider Laird Aggregates Ltd’s controversial planning application for a sand and gravel quarry, and concrete plant, at Kinloch Farm near Collessie.
Jessica Balfour (60), who has lived at Little Kinloch with her farmer husband Robert (60) since 1990, told The Courier that if the application is approved, it will be “game over” for them.
Mrs Balfour said: “I suppose the most relevant concern we have and must share with everyone is the proximity of our garden and property to the opening up of the quarry site.
“My concern is for my grandchildren, who I look after here on a regular basis.
“There is a community of children living around here and their health will be put at risk if this goes ahead. Sand and gravel dust is just as harmul as coal dust to young lungs, and there used to be a 500-metre exclusion zone for coal mines.”
She added: “We’ve had what feels like universal support from right across the Howe of Fife, which has ben heartening.”
The Courier told yesterday how the plans have been recommended for conditional approval despite 89 objections, as well as two neutral comments, posted on the council’s website.
NHS Fife is among the objectors.
In the health board’s objection letter, consultant in public health medicine Dr Jackie Hyland outlined concerns about noise, dust, the quarry’s proximity to houses and the psychological effects of living next to a quarry.
She also questioned a statement from Laird’s agents Dalgleish Associates suggesting that residents had objected on the grounds of “perceived” impacts.
She wrote: “Perceived concerns impact significantly upon psychological well-being and we feel it is inappropriate to dismiss such concerns. Attempting to allay perceived concerns is therefore vital.”
Giffordtown and District Community Council members, who believe quarry workings have caused flooding, also object.
Other objectors include the Burgh of Ladybank and District Community Council, Freuchie Community Council, the Rossie Ditch Cleaning Group, Scottish Civic Trust and pupils of Letham Primary School, who have signed a petition.