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Should The Harris Superquarry Go Ahead?

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 SUPERQUARRY 3

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...