GAA club in Cork get go-ahead for pitch development but new access road plan rejected

DOUGLAS Hurling and Football Club has been green-lit to develop a new GAA pitch but controversial plans for a new access road have been refused.

In June the club lodged a planning application with Cork City Council seeking permission for the construction of a proposed new pitch - which would involve the extension of an existing pitch, pitch number three – along with a new access road and junction off Inchvale Rd to the rear of the existing club.

The planning application also sought permission for the construction of a set-down parking area and turning area as well as floodlighting and ball stopping nets, fencing and supports, connections to adjacent lands and ancillary works.

Numerous submissions and objections were lodged with the city council in relation to the planning application, with many highlighting the proposed new access road as a key concern.

One submission stated that while they have “no objection to Douglas Hurling and Football Club developing their facilities”, they do have “a strong objection to the new entrance being proposed from Inchvale Rd in Shamrock Lawn”.

The submission stated that, as it stands, there is “a lot of parking by parents dropping and collecting their children daily in Inchvale Road” to and from school nearby, and that “many people park their cars all day on Inchvale Road and then get the bus to town/work”.

“When there is a match or event in Douglas GAA, invariably a lot of people park their cars on Inchvale Road rather than in the GAA Club. This leads to further traffic problems,” the submission continued.

It also claimed that the proposed entrance from Inchvale Road would “destroy the green area which has been maintained by the residents for a long number of years”.

Another submission objected to the proposed new entrance, believing that it could be “dangerous and chaotic” and also questioned why the additional entrance was required.

A third highlighted similar concerns in relation to the proposed additional entrance, expressing that there is “already a high volume of traffic in the area than bringing more traffic in and out of Shamrock Lawn”.

Further information

Cork City Council, in a request for further information, stated that the applicant had “not provided a reasonable justification for the proposed access road” and invited the applicant to submit revised plans for the proposed extension of pitch three which would only be served via a pedestrian access extended from pitch two.

The response letter on behalf of the applicants said it was “unfortunate” that the local authority was of the view that the applicant had not provided a reasonable justification for the proposed new access road.

“As mentioned in the supporting planning statement and associated documentation, the access is to serve the proposed development as well as facilitate access to residentially zoned lands which otherwise will be inaccessible,” it said.

The response also highlighted a number of issues, apart from access for development purposes, which the applicants asserted required access at this end of the pitch, including the quicker access of emergency services personnel in the event of an incident.

In granting conditional planning for the proposed new pitch, Cork City Council said the club does not have permission for the access road and junction off Inchvale Rd and the construction of a set down parking area, turning area and connections to adjacent lands.