Cork GAA club gets conditional planning for pitch development following appeal

AN Bord Pleanála has granted conditional permission for two new pitches to a GAA club in Ovens after an ongoing planning battle between the club and residents in its locality.

Éire Óg Hurling and Football club had applied for permission for the construction of two juvenile Gaelic playing grounds, and the retention of a car parking area and public lighting.

A report by An Bord Pleanála looks in detail at issues raised in the appeal by a group of residents who live alongside the GAA club: the principle of the development, planning history, car parking, traffic, drainage and residential amenity.

The planning inspector recommended in the report that permission be granted, but with conditions, including amendment of the proposed car parking design and restrictions around the use of floodlights.

The appeal by residents claimed that a more detailed car parking layout plan was needed, and raised issues around the safety of pedestrians.

The report recommended “that a condition be attached that requires the submission of a revised car parking layout with respect to car parking space dimensions and provision of a cycle parking area”.

The report also advised that “an area clear from car parking at the entrance to the pedestrian tunnel area shall be shown together with a logical pedestrian route to the playing pitches”.

Issues of drainage were also raised by the appellants, with the report from An Bord Pleanána noting: “The planning authority considered that surface water management proposals were adequate for the site and the Area Engineer’s report concludes no risk of flooding.”

A condition attached to the permission says that within six months, measures are undertaken to ensure that all surface water generated is collected and disposed of, and that the access road to the car parking area is provided with pipes or ducts so as not to interfere with existing roadside drainage.

The appellants also raised issues about floodlights.

Another condition on the report states that within six months, all lighting shall be fitted with cowls and directed to the ground and away from adjacent housing and roads, that all lighting shall be switched off at 10pm and not switch on before dawn, and that flood lighting would only be in operation when the car park is in use.

The appellants were also concerned that the provision of two more pitches and the addition of other activities on the car park area would impact upon residential amenity and that if the development was permitted it would decrease the value of their property and others in the area.

The inspectors report said: “Given that the pitches are to be used for juvenile training purposes, I am satisfied that the principle of the development is acceptable and the use of the pitches as proposed, is unlikely to give rise to any significant impacts on the existing residential amenities of the existing properties.

“No documentary evidence has been submitted to demonstrate that the development will adversely affect property values in the area, and it is likely that the provision of additional and enhanced recreational facilities will improve desirability for the area as a whole.”