Glenside Quarry is located approximately 7km south west of Belfast City Centre. The nearest residential areas are the Andersonstown, Poleglass and Suffolk communities in West Belfast, the outskirts of which extend to approximately 1.2km South East of the proposed site.

Local housing within 1km of this site is made up of a small number of residential properties along the Glenside Road, the B38 and the A501 and other minor roads in the vicinity.

The site occupies an area of approximately 41,033m2 and was previously used as a basalt quarry, owned and operated by Readymix (NI) Ltd until approximately 25 years ago.

Previously to this the site was used as a concrete production plant until it was decommissioned in 1994. The quarry now lies derelict.

The area surrounding Glenside Quarry is characterised by upland terrain and managed coniferous plantations. To the North lies an active quarry, whilst a disused quarry lies to the North East. Adjacent to this disused quarry is a small coal storage and distribution yard.

The lands to the South are a mixture of agricultural grassland and disused quarries. The Colin Glen Forest Park lies to the East of the site comprising a woodland area of local importance.