New GAA pitches planned for Cloghan and Daingean
‘Very positive’ proposal will be ‘fantastic’ for area
During a recent meeting of Offaly County Council, Chief Executive of the Council, Eoghan Ryan, presented two reports to the Councillors about the proposals. He recommended the proposals be given the go-ahead, which would entail Material Contraventions of the Offaly County Development Plan (OCDP) 2021 to 2027, and the Councillors didn't disagree.
Mr Ryan said Daingean GAA club is seeking permission for the construction of a new 145 metre x 90 metre sports pitch with eight floodlights (18 metres high); a viewing stand consisting of a toilet block and storage area; and a second viewing stand to be located at the existing main sports pitch to the south of the site. The location is Townparks, Philipstown, Daingean R35 XK12.
The official “Recommendation of the Executive” was to “Vote in favour of materially contravening the Offaly County Development Plan 2021 to 2027.”
The site is 4.435 hectares and is within and adjacent to the grounds of the Daingean GAA Club, which is located north of the Grand Canal in Daingean beside the town cemetery. The grounds are accessed from Local Primary Road L-1019-1.
The County Development Plan states that playing pitches/sports clubs are “Not normally permitted” on lands zoned for Enterprise and Employment. However, the Chief Executive's recommendation was to materially contravene this. A public notice of the proposed material contravention of the OCDP was advertised in the Irish Independent on May 6th. No public submissions on the proposed material contravention were subsequently received. “It is considered that the proposed development which adjoins an existing GAA facility would provide a suitable location for a playing field,” said Mr Ryan.
He said there was also a proposed material Contravention of the Offaly County Development Plan 2021 to 2027 at St Rynagh's GAA Football Club at Birr Road, Cloghan. St Rynagh's is seeking: “Retention permission for the levelling of the land of the proposed new wild flower and football pitch area which includes installation of land drainage pipes to same and also to apply for Planning Permission to extend the existing facilities to include a powder coated fence to match the existing and native hedgerow to the southern boundary; and a 1 metre high rendered block wall to the western boundary to match the existing wall; and to extend the 1.2 metre wide walking track around same to match the existing walking track; and to install seating and bicycle parking, a wild flower area, a new football pitch with ball stop nets, and LED flood lighting."
The Chief Executive said his recommendation regarding the St Rynagh's application was to vote in favour of materially contravening the OCDP 2021 to 2027. The site contains an existing club house, a playground, a car park, an existing football pitch and an undeveloped area to the south of the existing facility where the proposed pitch is to be located. The location of the proposed playing football pitch is zoned as “Enterprise and Employment”, hence the need for a Material Contravention.
During the public consultation period Transport Infrastructure Ireland submitted a recommendation that a Road Safety Audit (RSA) needs to be carried out at the Cloghan site “in accordance with TII Publications."
The Chief Executive's recommendation was that, “It is considered that the proposal, adjoining an existing GAA facility would provide a suitable location for a playing field. Transport Infrastructure Ireland have indicated that a RSA should be carried out to assess the proposed development's traffic implications, and any requirements of the RSA should be imposed on the proposed development by means of planning conditions. The applicant is not proposing an additional vehicular entrance but will be using the established entrance which is within the 60kph speed limit on the N62 which is linked to the centre of the village by footpath."
Cllr Audrey Hennessy Kennedy told the meeting that it was a very positive proposal in Cloghan and would be “fantastic” for the area. Cllr Seán Maher agreed. He pointed out that the Club plays a “pivotal role” in the local community.