Minister and department differ on Killaloe sports complex?

ARTS Minister Jimmy Deenihan seems to be on a different track concerning the merits of a new sports complex in Killaloe, judging by different stances adopted over the development, which is being promoted by former Lions rugby captain, Keith Wood.     
Speaking at the recent opening of the new €2 million mooring development along the Killaloe Canal Bank, the minister paid tribute to Keith Wood for his involvement in a new recreational and playing pitch development at the Moys, Killaloe.
“Keith Wood has shown great leadership in the community and has a very interesting sports project, which hopefully we can help him with. It is great to have someone living in the community that is so well-known, not only in this country but internationally.
“He is a source of important leadership. He has already shown his generosity by putting major funding into this sporting development. To have someone like that in a local community is a major asset,” Minister Deenihan said.
A new group, the East Clare Sports and Community Partnership (ECSCP), has applied to Clare County Council for planning permission to construct two full-size playing pitches, one all-weather floodlit pitch with fenced enclosure, partially floodlit training areas, walking/cycling trails, temporary changing facilities, an on-site wastewater treatment system, new entrance gateways, site fencing, car parking and ancillary site works, close to Killaloe.
The site lies on the western bank of the River Shannon, about two kilometres south of Killaloe and forms part of lands previously associated with Clarisford House and its estate. It is proposed that the land owned by Clare County Council will be leased to the company for the benefit of people in the area.
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht wasn’t as complimentary when it made a series of observations and recommendations about the development, which were subsequently adopted in a comprehensive further information request by the county council.
It recommended an archaeological impact assessment be submitted by the applicants to assess the potential impact, if any, on archaeological remains in the area.
The department stated the applicant should engage the services of a suitably qualified archaeologist to carry out an archaeological assessment of the development site and a programme of test excavation.
“If significant archaeological remains are found, refusal might still be recommended and/or further monitoring or excavation required.
“A final decision should not be made on this application until the planning authority and this office has had the opportunity to evaluate the archaeological assessment.
“The natural impact statement (NIS) is deficient in that it does not address or assess the combination effects of other plans and projects, including the South Clare Local Area Plan and land use zonings around Killaloe, the proposed new Killaloe bypass and other riverside developments in the area, in particular.
“Further information should be provided to address the deficiencies and present the necessary objective information and scientific evidence to demonstrate, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that the proposed development poses no risks of having adverse effects on the integrity of the Lower River Shannon SAC. The NIS should be updated as necessary,” the department stated.
It also requested more information about the likely ecological impacts at construction and operation stages; current and proposed ground levels; drainage works/proposals, surface water management; landscaping and non-native invasive species eradication and control.
Keith Wood said a need has been identified for sport and recreational facilities in the locality.
“Work on this development started seven or eight years ago. We are in the middle of the planning process, it has taken an awful long time. We are looking to provide some good playing and training areas and a small area for scouts and nice walkways,” he told The Clare Champion.
“It is entirely community-focused. If we get planning permission, there is a need for a soccer and rugby pitch and we need to make sure they are provided. We will not be stopping anyone from using the development, it is for the  youth of the area.
“The committee involves people from Ballina and Killaloe. We have got huge support from everyone involved and we are getting there slowly but surely,” he said.
According to planning documents submitted to the council, an appropriate natural impact assessment was completed for the site, which demonstrated that the proposed development would not place the designated habitats and water bodies in the local area at risk.
Documents also stated the proposed on-site wastewater treatment system to serve the development doesn’t present a significant risk to local groundwater resources, water supplies and habitats.
Michael Corey, of Michael Corey and Associates, architectural consultants, Ennis, stated 82 parking spaces would be provided in total, exceeding the 50 required in the 2011-2017 Clare County Development Plan.
“It is intended that the outer car park (14 spaces) will be open to the public at all times but with height restricting bars at its entrance and outside of opening hours, it is proposed there will be pedestrian access into the park via a ‘kissing’ gate arrangement that is suitable for universal access.
“It is intended that the main entrance gates will have controls fitted to them and will be operated either manually or automatically to restrict opening times for vehicular access into the site. That includes parking areas No 2 (28 spaces) and No 3 (eight spaces).
“Parking area No 4 (32 spaces) will then act as an overflow at times of peak usage during daylight hours. A one-way driving system is to be employed to parking areas No 2 and 3. That will incorporate set-down and bus-parking areas. Emergency vehicles will have access close to the playing fields over spring based bollards,” Mr Corey added.