Residents meet with council over all-weather pitch development
By Laura Lyne
RESIDENTS who opposed plans by Lucan United for an all-weather pitch at the club’s grounds in Airlie Heights, met representatives from South Dublin County Council to discuss issues surrounding the approved development.
Lucan United have approval for an all-weather football pitch, including fencing, floodlighting, and associated site works.
The plans were granted permission by the council. Residents who objected to the local authority then appealed to An Bord Pleanála, who in turn, approved the development.
During the planning process, residents objected citing traffic congestion, lighting, noise, loss of privacy and operation times at the site, located beside Dodsborough housing estate.
Up to 150 residents signed a petition objecting the proposal. Independent councillor Gus O’Connell forwarded a motion at the Lucan ACM on Tuesday, seeking alternative amenity space for residents.
Cllr O’Connell was concerned at the “distinct possibility that open-green space at Airlie Heights will pass from being an amenity for the local community.”
He also cited “traffic hazards” and car-parking which would be “detrimental and hazardous to the local community.”
A spokesperson for SDCC said: “A deputation from the Airlie Heights residents who are opposed to the proposed floodlit all-weather pitch, recently met with council elected members and officials at a deputation meeting on September 23, to discuss the matter.
“It was agreed that the group would attend at the October 2015 deputation meeting to hear the views of the land use, planning and transportation department on the matter.”
Lucan United are about to enter into an agreement with the council members concerning use of the open space.
The SDCC spokesperson continued: “Where clubs outgrow the capacity of the council to meet their requirements, it is normal for such clubs to seek to develop their own facilities on private lands, and there are many examples around the county where this has happened over the years.”
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