Strong opposition for €1m multi-sport pitch from residents at ‘well-used family park full of wildlife’

THERE was strong opposition to plans for a fully enclosed, 3G multi-sport pitch in Knocklyon Park, a project expected to cost over €1m, at a public meeting held in the clubhouse at Ballyboden St Enda’s GAA Club on Monday evening.

Over 150 people attended the meeting, which was organised by a community group called Save Knocklyon Park.

The contentious plans by South Dublin County Council include redeveloping an existing pitch in the park – which is already used by Ballyboden St Enda’s – to facilitate the new sports pitch.

Points of concern include the fact that the pitch will be fully enclosed and accessed on a pay-to-play basis and would result in restricted access to a sizable portion of Knocklyon Park.

Other concerns expressed by the Save Knocklyon Park group include the potential for noise and light pollution, and traffic issues.

The plans are currently at the Part 8 public consultation stage, and the public consultation portal contains documents relating to the council’s plans for the development.

This includes an Environmental Impact Assessment, which the local authority said found “that there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development”.

In a leaflet recently circulated by Save Knocklyon Park, a spokesperson for the group wrote: “A well-used family park, full of wildlife, is not the right area for a development of this size and nature.

“This will be one of the biggest 3G pitches ever proposed in Europe despite the Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Report classifying this compound as ‘of small scale’ and in keeping with the ‘urban’ landscape – despite the park being surrounded by trees and directly connected to the Dublin mountains.”

Submissions on the planned project can be made at consult.sdublincoco.ie until June 9, or by post to Senior Executive Officer, Environment Water and Climate Change, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24 YNN5, up to 5pm on June 9.