Dundalk Grammar School’s plans for an outdoor sports and recreational development which would have included an all weather pitch, an eight lane running track, a covered spectator stand, changing rooms, tennis courts, outdoor gym and multi-use games area have been hit with the news that their planning application has been rejected by Louth County Council.
In the Planning Application which was lodged on the 29th of July, access to the proposed development from Dundalk Grammar School was provided in the plans via the existing access off Hill Street/Dublin Road (R132) (Immediately south of Byrne’s pub). It was proposed to adjust the existing R132 road carriageway lane width to 3.1m along a c. 70 m section of Hill Street to the north of the proposed access and extend the existing cycle lane along the western edge of the R132 Dublin Road /Hill Street as far as the site entrance.
The proposed development also provided for alterations to grounds levels within the site, a pumping station, site lighting (including flood lighting surrounding the pitch), landscaping and boundary treatments and all ancillary site development works.
There was also a proposal for an ecological park in the southern part of the site which would adjoin but not form part of Balmer’s Bog. The proposed ecological park would incorporate a viewing deck /bird watching observation hide orientated towards Balmer’s Bog. Car parking, cycle parking and a bus set down area were also provided within the site.
However, those plans will have to be altered after Louth County Council recommended that permission be refused for the development in a decision that was given on the 22nd September.
There were a number of reasons outlined in the decision to reject the plans with Louth County Council stating that the applicant had failed to demonstrate provision for an appropriate pedestrian/cycling route from the Grammar School to the development proposed or adequate provision for vehicular traffic and other road users from Hill Street/(Dublin Road R132) to the site that ‘would not be prejudicial to the pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular traffic safety’.
There were also issues with parking spaces for local residents while the Planning Authority stated they were concerned that the development was at risk of flooding and/or could result in the potential loss of a floodplain, which in turn could lead to flooding elsewhere in the area. There was also an issue with the site layout which made no provision for access to the open drainage channel from the inlet screen of the existing surface water infrastructure on site to the Ramparts River for maintenance purposes without which the flood risk on the site and adjoining lands would be exacerbated.
The Planning Authority also stated that they were not satisfied that the proposed development individually or in combination with other plans or projects would not adversely affect the integrity of Dundalk Bay and other sites in the area.
The Grammar school had purchased the 4.135 hectare of land west of Hill Street/Dublin Street (which includes part of Balmer’s Bog) with the intention of developing a first-class sporting hub that would encourage participation and progression in sport at all levels.
The range of facilities it was proposed to provide were listed in the plans as including:
A floodlit rugby pitch of international standard with ball stop nets
An 8-lane athletics running track
Long and triple jump, javelin, discus, hammer throwing, pole vault, shot put and high jump facilities
Three floodlit tennis courts
A MUGA synthetic sports pitch
Clubhouse with changing facilities
Site perimeter walking/jogging track with age friendly exercise equipment
Spectator stands with capacity for c. 5,000 persons
Bicycle/bus and car parking facilities.
The proposed development would also comprise an ecological park stretching into the Balmer’s Bog area. However those plans will have to be put on hold now pending an appeal following Louth County Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the development.
