Developer plans to build homes on GAA pitches
DEVELOPER Belgrove Homes is buying a parcel of land at the Dolphin Park GAA ground in Dublin, the Irish Independent understands.
The ground hosts games for Templeogue Synge Street GAA club, Kevin’s Hurling Club and a number of school teams.
It is expected Belgrove will look to build around 150 apartments at the site. Belgrove, which declined to comment when contacted by the Irish Independent, is run by well-known developer Gerry Haughey, previously of Dorville Homes.
It is also working on projects at Blackrock and Upper Glenageary Road in the capital.
Templeogue Synge Street took the ground on an 850 -year lease from the Christian Brothers in the early 2000s and the Christian Brothers are set to benefit from the sale under the terms of the lease.
The sale of the land has caused controversy in the local community, with Kevin’s Hurling Club coming out against the sale.
It is one of a number of recent controversies over the sale of playing pitches for housing.
The Christian Brothers have been looking to sell playing pitches at Clonkeen College, which has sparked court action.
There have also been protests about plans to build 500 units on land used as playing pitches by St Paul’s College in Raheny on the north side of the city.
Templeogue Synge Street issued a statement to members which said the sale was designed to modernise the facilities at the ground. It wants to introduce floodlighting for pitches as well as an all-weather facility.
It said it wanted to ensure that the club was “fit for purpose to serve the needs of the area for generations to come”.
“The growth of the GAA in recent years means modern facilities are essential to cater for the needs of current and future players and teams.
“We are factoring in the needs of all those who currently use the site including Kevin’s hurling club... we enjoy a very good working relationship with Kevin’s and all the schools... we do not anticipate any change to Kevin’s and the schools’ abilities to use the site in future years.”
The Christian Brothers are set to benefit from the sale