Soccer club lose out in pitch battle

AN Bord Pleanála has upheld Kerry County Council’s decision to refuse Ballyheigue Athletic permission to retain its soccer pitch, built without planning permission on a plot encroaching on the area’s sand dunes.

It comes as a major blow for the club and its plans to develop the sport among the young people of the community.

Adjacent to the local GAA grounds at Buncurrig, the pitch currently provides for training and games for up to 80 players aged between 11 and 22 in what club bosses say is a massive asset to Ballyheigue.

But Kerry County Council refused planning for the development as it was felt its construction – in part of the dunes – contravened the provisions of the County Development Plan prohibiting the ‘removal of beach material, aggregates, sand and gravel, including the removal of material from sand dune ecosystems.’

Ballyheigue Athletic argued that interference with the ecosystem was ‘minor’ and said it did not believe the development damaged the integrity of the area.

Furthermore, the club argued that as the site is technically outside the SPA and that some development is allowed in secondary SPA, it should have been given the go-ahead.

Not so, Bord Pleanála inspectors found last week. “The proposed development is located within an area zoned secondary special amenity area in the County Development Plan where it is the policy that ‘permission will not be granted for development which cannot be integrated into its surroundings’.

“The proposed retention of the soccer pitch and entrance, together with the proposed container building for use as changing rooms and the car parking proposed at this location would represent a significant incongruous element in this sensitive coastal landscape, would seriously injure the amenities of the area and would interfere with the character of the landscape and natural beauty of the area, which is necessary to preserve,” inspector A Considine set out in his recommendations to the Board.