KANTURK ASTRO TURF PLAN HIT BY OBJECTIONS
A LOCAL county councillor has warned the plan to develop an artificial sports pitch in Kanturk is now likely to be put on hold until next year after an objection was lodged with An Bord Pleanála against the facility.
After months of uncertainty, the project, which has the backing of local sporting organisations, schools, Community Council and Kanturk Chamber, was last month finally given the green light by council planners.
The plan, lodged by the Kanturk Community Astroturf Co Ltd in July of last year, makes provision for the all-weather floodlit pitch, 78 car parking spaces and associated road and footpath works at St Theresa’s Place, Greenane.
Following the lodging of observations addressing issues including light and noise pollution; traffic management; operating times and the potential for anti-social behaviour, planners sought further information on the application on a number of points, delaying the decision-making process.
Granting permission for the development, planners stipulated 40 separate conditions, addressing a variety of issues such as traffic management, flood prevention, waste disposal, noise levels during construction and that the floodlights shall not be in operation after 9.45pm.
The news was welcomed by Cllr John Paul O’Shea, who said the project would cost in the region of €750,000 to develop, with funding coming through a combination of grants and local fundraising efforts: “The grants have been applied for, and it is expected they will be announced over the coming weeks and months. Hopefully, this will allow construction work to commence sometime this year,” said Cllr O’Shea.
However, this projected timetable has now been put in jeopardy following the lodging of a joint submission with the appeals board in the name of local residents Kevin Brennan and Angela O’Sullivan.
While the appellants said they were pro-development “particularly any project community related”, they wished to “strongly object” to the development, saying they felt that as it currently stands it had many issues that would have a “negative impact on their family and family home”.
Their detailed 10-page submission addressed a number of issues of concern under headlines including traffic volumes, noise nuisance, footpath/ pedestrian access, flood lighting and visual appearance. Other general concerns included privacy; should CCTV cameras be installed at the facility; and adequate on-site storm water drainage.
“To conclude, I feel that the location is not suitable for this form of development, the road network is inadequate and poses safety hazards for all users, our property would depreciate in value, it would affect our enjoyment of our family home and pose as a constant nuisance,” read the observation.
“I would request that you refuse this application in the interest of proper, safe and sustainable development,” it concluded.
An Bord Pleanála has set a date of Wednesday, October 14 for a decision.
Cllr O’Shea said he was very disappointed to learn that the project had been referred to the appeals board, pointing out that this could have serious repercussions in terms of securing funding for it: “A tremendous amount of work has been put in by the voluntary committee behind this project. It is a pity it is now up in the air, and this latest development puts the project in jeopardy,” said Cllr O’Shea.
“Without full planning permission, the committee will not be able to apply for financial assistance to build this facility and will miss the funding available to it in 2020. I sincerely hope that An Bord Pleanála will rule on this appeal quickly,” he added.