Portland Row pitch saved from development following Kellie Harrington-backed campaign
Gordon Deegan
Olympic boxing gold medalist Kellie Harrington has struck gold once more after winning her planning battle to save a sports playing pitch in the Dubliner's own Portland Row area.
This follows An Coimiúsin Pleanála refusing planning permission to approved housing body, Tuath Housing Association for 49 units across three apartment blocks at Portland Row in Dublin 1.
The ACP refusal overturns a grant of permission by Dublin City Council for the contentious scheme last December despite local opposition.
ACP did find that the massing and height of Tuath Housing’s proposed development would result in a high-quality and coherent urban scheme with high-quality public and communal open space.
However, in upholding the seven third party appeals lodged by Kellie Harrington, Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald and others, ACP has refused planning permission after finding that the removal of the Mixed Use Games Area (MUGA) to facilitate the proposed development would materially contravene the Dublin City Development Plan.
ACP stated that the specific policy concerning the Protection of Sport and Recreational Facilities seeks to protect existing and established sport and recreation facilities, including pitches, unless there is clear evidence that there is no long-term need for the facility.
In making the refusal, ACP stated that it was not satisfied that the applicant had adequately demonstrated that there is no long-term need for this MUGA or that the existing facility would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity or quality in an accessible and suitable location as part of this application.
ACP states that the loss of an existing Mixed Use Games Area "within an area of the city which has an identified deficit in public open space would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".
Sinn Fein leader and local TD Mary Lou McDonald was an appellant in the case.
In a statement, McDonald has welcomed the ruling.
She said that the decision to save the Portland Row pitch “is a victory for common sense and for everyone who stood together to protect this vital community space”.
McDonald lodged her appeal with Cllr Janice Boylan (SF) and Deputy McDonald said: “Our communities should never be forced to choose between housing and places where children can play, grow and thrive. Now we need Dublin City Council to invest in the pitch and develop it for future generations.
McDonald said: “Well done to everyone who campaigned so passionately, especially Kellie Harrington. This is what can be achieved when a community stands together.”
Kellie Harrington employed Manahan Planners to draw up a comprehensive third party appeal that ran to 26 pages.
In the appeal, Tony Manahan said that “the approach of the City Council should be to retain and enhance what little recreational open spaces are available to local inhabitants rather than seeking to facilitate housing on such a scarce recreational resource”.
Manahan stated that “the existence of housing shortage does not create an unquestioning need to build on every square inch of undeveloped land”.
He said that “a proposal to build on say St Stephens Green or Merrion Square in the interest of addressing a housing shortage would rightly be firmly rejected”.
He said that “a proposal to build on recreational open space in the North East Inner City should be rejected with equal firmness”.
Manahan further stated that the MUGA “has served the local community for decades, providing essential recreational facilities for children, young people, and families”
Manahan said “As noted by Olympic champion Kellie Harrington, who trained at this facility during the COVID-19 pandemic, "I see people coming here with their grandkids, at this facility playing football. If you take that away, we're never getting it back.”
