Plans to construct changing rooms and floodlights at pitch

PLANS to construct a new changing room facility and erect new overhead floodlighting at an existing playing pitch on Cloverhill Road have been lodged with South Dublin County Council, by Hayden Moore.

Applicants Ballyfermot United Sports and Social Club (BUSSC) lodged the plans on July 1, which contains alterations to a previously permitted application, for the construction of new single storey modular changing facilitie next to the existing playing pitch.

Relocation of approved 38 car parking spaces and two coach parking bays with the installation of new overhead floodlights and three flag poles are included in the plans for the site which borders the M50 motorway.

The proposed development also includes the continuation of a previously permitted boundary wall and footpath extending along the eastern boundary of the site with additional security fencing added to the top of the wall.

New entrance gates which will be access via the permitted entrance off Cloverhill Road make up the rest of the application.

Ballyfermot United were granted permission to develop a new clubhouse and all-weather pitches with floodlighting in 2010 – but the downturn in the economy scuppered those plans.

In December 2014, the club agreed a deal with a developer to sell part of their land to fund the development.

As part of the deal, it was agreed that the developers would build a new dressing room for the club – estimated at the time to cost in the region of €100,000 – along with ancillary site works.

As reported in The Echo in 2015, the football club retained ownership of their grounds at Cloverhill, whilst Pathway Homes Ltd will take ownership of 3 acres for a residential development.

As part-owners of the land in Cloverhill, BUSSC gave permission to Sligo-based real estate company Pathway Homes to lodge a planning application.

The housing development, which was finally given the greenlight with conditions in November 2020, contains proposals for 43 units, mostly three-bed terraced homes.

This latest application, contains full details relating to the proposed development of playing and changing facilities for the high profile football club.

The closing date for third party submissions is August 4, with a decision due on August 25.