Éire Óg get green light for hurling wall

ÉIRE Óg GAA Club has been successful in its plans to develop a hurling wall following a decision by An Bord Pleanála to give the project the green light, despite objections from neighbours.

Ennis Town Council had originally granted planning permission for the development at Clonroadmore, set to be constructed adjacent to the existing all-weather sports training pitch, subject to conditions.

The development involves the construction of a hurling wall, including the removal of netting on the pitch side of the existing all-weather facility.

However, Enzo and Nuala D’Auria, who live next to the proposed development, lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála against the granting of permission.

Their appeal raised concerns about noise levels arising from the proposed development, which they said would be “frequent in intensity” and would adversely affect residential amenity. They also claimed submitted drawings indicate existing floodlight posts indicated a “backdoor” attempt to regularise posts for the future lighting of the area. The appeal stated that the planning conditions proposed do not adequately overcome the future occurrence of lighting and they stated an insufficient exploration of alternative siting locations was carried out.

In response to the appeal, Éire Óg GAA Club stated that the site is zoned open space and that a hurling wall of shorter length and greater height had previously been permitted but never constructed.

They stated that, historically, the club has accommodated the appellants’ residential amenity through the relocation of the main entrance. The club insisted that the proposed hurling wall will not change the fundamental use of the permitted all-weather area and would not result in intensification of use.

The response went on to state, “There are technical and land management reasons for siting the proposed hurling wall adjacent to the existing permitted all-weather pitch, the club, had considered alternative options for the direction of the development.”

The club outlined that historic problems of trespass on the appellant’s property arising from searching for stray balls was abated by the voluntary introduction of netting on the all-weather area. They stated a noise survey would be impractical and that the proposed hurling wall would be used from within the all-weather pitch only.

In relation to the appellants’ concerns about floodlighting, the club stated, “There is no intention to achieve floodlighting of existing or proposed development without a separate planning permission.”

The applicants stated they would be prepared to accept a planning condition controlling the use of the existing floodlight poles. The response also stated the locked enclosure of the all-weather pitch would prevent unauthorised use of the proposed hurling wall.

An assessment of the site was carried out by senior planning inspector with An Bord Pleanála, Keith Sargeant.

The inspector agreed with the planning authority’s assertion that noise generated by existing all-weather pitch activities would not be increased. The inspector considered the proposal for a noise survey “impractical”, adding that in the absence of floodlighting, weekday use of the wall at unsocial hours would not generally occur.

The inspector also determined that the existing combination of vertical and horizontal netting prevents stray balls entering the appellants’ property.

In relation to the floodlighting, the inspector stated he understood “the fear on the part of the appellants”.

He noted that An Bord Pleanála previously decided that the erection of floodlights was development and not exempted development. He stated it is clear that the then subject lights and any stands were different to the four now remaining on the site.

He referred to condition number 1 of the granting of planning permission by Ennis Town Council, stating it should be repeated in some form if permission is granted. That condition stated that, “This permission is solely for the construction of a hurling wall adjacent to the club house and the removal of netting on the pitch side of the existing all-weather facility.”

The inspector commented, “I do not consider more can be done to allay the concerns of appellants insofar as the scope of the current appeal decision can extend.”

The inspector recommended that the development go ahead. In making the decision, An Bord Pleanála stated that having regard to the zoning provisions of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan, the established use of the site as a recreational sports ground and the site planning history, it is considered that, subject to conditions, the proposed development “would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity” and would be in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development.

The permission was granted subject to four planning conditions. The first states that the development be carried out and completed in accordance with the plans and particulars lodged with the application, except where required to comply with conditions.

Other conditions stated the use of the hurling wall be confined to the western side only and that netting be maintained at all times in a sound condition. It was also a condition of permission that the proposed wall be used only between 9am and 9pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.