HUBERT MURPHY
AN Environmental Impact Statement is to be prepared on the Seafield at Laytown in a bid to transform the location into a true sporting and recreational hub.
Meath County Council have been working on the project for some time, with Senior Executive Officer Dara McGowan presenting a provisional plan to councillors at the recent area meeting in Duleek.
It features three playing pitches and a running track, with car park and outdoor exercise equipment.
‘ This is about improving the area,’ he stated. However, he revealed that there are ‘substantial challenges’ with the project.
‘We did a study to see what could fit on the land and we looked at that, expect the GAA area. We looked at a walking route, toilets, changing rooms, etc,’ he stated.
‘Funding and maintenance are some of the challenges and clubs would have to get funding themselves. The land is also surrounded by a special protection area.’
That will mean any project would have to go to An Bord Pleanala and a study would be needed of nesting patterns. The impact of any lighting would also have to be assessed.
‘We need to talk to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and get a traffic management plan,’ he continued.
He feels a proper project wold enhance the land and its uses for the future.
‘We have to do an assessment of the site and get the clubs involved and then see if it is viable. If we proceed, we need a planning application.’
Cllr Wayne Harding said that a lot of hard work had been done on the scheme already and he could see the ‘ huge complexities’ involved and asked if St Colmcilles GAA are doing ‘ their own thing’ in part of the site, how would they link in with the plans.
Mr McGowan said that the Colmcilles had land at the entrance to the site and that would not impact on this proposal.
Cllr Sharon Keogan asked if three pitches were needed, as she felt that more and more indoor options were needed. She also asked if one of the pitches was all-weather.
Mr McGowan said three pitches were included because they fit but a community facility wouldn’t.
‘I think an all weather pitch on the site would make it a viable option all year round,’ Cllr Keogan added. ‘ This is probably a €3-4m cost, maybe more. Clubs will run to the hills so a support system needs to be put in place for years to help cushion it.’
Cllr Eimear Ferguson suggested that the impact statement be progressed while Cllr Sharon Tolan said she would oppose €700,000 being spent for a proposed community centre as it needed to be in a central location. ‘If there’s another fund for a community centre elsewhere I’d go for it,’ she remarked.
She also feels accessibility is an issue as cars have to enter by Julianstown and in respect of an all weather pitch, that could cost €500,000.
‘ The road into the site needs action anyway to allow cars to pass. I don’t want €700,000 sunk into the Seafield instead of a community facility. It’s fantastic but inspirational.’
Cllr Tom Kelly said it was a ‘stimulating’ proposal and that there are 30 acres available.
As a trustee of the pitch and putt club, he would be delighted to see it progressed, along with toilets and a Blue Flag beach. But he said there were issues, including a cycle path and environmental concerns.
Cllr Paddy Meade admitted he did have concerns but hoped he’d be proved wrong. ‘When people said Oldbridge wouldn’t work, it did.’
He felt that the soccer club needed to buy into the project as they had pitches in Navan that were ‘dangerous and overgrown with moss’.
He said he favoured any meeting rooms to be in the centre of Bettystown.
Head of Finance Fiona Lawless said the Seafield development was a ‘fantastic opportunity’ for the district and they had €700,000 to help it.
‘It can be sustainable. Let’s progress it as it’s in our interest to see it moved on,’ she explained.
It was agreed to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement on the lands.