Douglas GAA appeals refusal of controversial access road to An Bord Pleanála
Small Down New For The With And Fencing Area, Ball Pitch Netting Road A Construction Of Applied Access Off Set Club Stopping Had An Parking Turning And For Road, Planning Area, A Inchvale A Floodlighting,
A Cork City GAA club refused planning for a controversial road as part of a new pitch project has appealed that element of the decision to An Bord Pleanála after what it claims was “parish politics at play”.
Douglas GAA club ssaid it was "a modest development with a large planning gain", that the road was vital to access its proposed new pitch, and it was "good planning" to facilitate access to residentially zoned lands next to the club which otherwise would be inaccessible.
“It is considered that the local authority has failed to see the big picture planning gain of providing much-needed access at this location...Once again, the board is appealed upon to overturn the decision of the local authority to refuse development at this location as it would appear to be parish politics at play," it said.
The club had applied for planning for a new pitch with an access road off Inchvale Road, construction of a small set-down parking area, a turning area, floodlighting, and ball-stopping netting and fencing, following a land-swap deal between the club and the owners of an adjoining almost five-hectare landbank zoned for housing and which could accommodate up to 100 units.
But the inclusion of the road sparked opposition from local residents, with opponents describing it as a “Trojan horse” designed to open up the landbank to development.
In a split decision last month, Cork City Council planners approved the pitch but effectively refused the access road, set-down parking and turning area, and connections to adjacent lands.
In its appeal on this element, the club’s consultants, Total Planning Solutions, said an access road there was the only potential access point for the residentially zoned lands and all of the required traffic counts had been done and modelled to provide “adequate justification” for it.
It said not having regard to “adjacent residentially zoned lands” by indicating or providing for potential access would be bad planning and would effectively land lock zoned lands.
It said the club’s planning application should be assessed on its own merits, and not against any possible or potential application for future development on adjacent lands, and pointed out that any proposed future residential scheme on the adjacent lands would be subject to a separate planning application.
It also included a letter from the club which said the road was essential for access for heavy pitch and floodlight maintenance machinery, for emergency vehicles so as to avoid physically carrying a stretcher from the club’s current car park over the length of two pictures, and would help alleviate congestion in Douglas GAA by providing a safe drop-off area.
A decision is due in a few months.