GAA Club lodge planning for pitches on Carmelite land

GAA Club lodge planning for pitches on Carmelite land

By Mary Dennehy

BALLYBODEN St Enda’s has lodged a planning application for the development of two grass playing pitches on land adjacent to the Carmelite monastery on the Firhouse Road.

The local club sealed a deal back in the summer of 2018 to purchase the 12-acres of land, which does not include the Carmelite monastery or its surrounding buildings.

Carmalite Site 23 compressor

Ballyboden St Enda’s have lodged the planning for the Carmelite monastery ground 

At the time, John Ryan, Club Development Chairman and Executive Member, said: “This is truthfully a historic day for the club and we are very fortunate to have secured such valuable facilities.

“It will hopefully provide further playing facilities in the years ahead for the club, parish and wider community.”

Home to the sisters since 1827, the Carmelite monastery, which played an integral role in community development in the areas of Firhouse and Knocklyon over the years, was vacated by the order due to challenging and changing times.

Two years after purchasing the land, which is believed to have cost in the region of €750k,  Ballyboden St Enda’s has now lodged a planning application with South Dublin County Council for the construction of two  full-sized, grass playing pitches.

According to the application, one pitch will measure 145m long by 90m wide while pitch number two is proposed as being 133m by 80m.

Boden and Carmelites drawing compressor

A drawing of the plans

The application also provides for club facilities including four changing rooms, storage, function and meetings rooms, physiotherapy facilities and kitchen.

Site works proposed include the removal of existing hedgerows and trees, replanting areas and the formation of a new pedestrian and vehicular entrance on the Firhouse Road.

Plans also include 67 car parking and 24 bicycle spaces, a perimeter pathway, fencing and attendant landscaping works.

Documents lodged with the application includes a badger and bat evaluation, a priliminary arboricultural assessment and ecological impact report.

The reports also proposes a number of mitigating measues, such as the direction of lighting within the grounds to prevent excessive disturbance to bats.

To read the full application, visit the planning section of www.sdcc.ie.

 A decision by South Dublin County Council is due by August 5.

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