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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2560386 - F.I. Received Doc. - Application - Cover Letter ARCHITECTS | CONSULTING ENGINEERS | BUILDING SURVEYORS Tel: 042-9746492 info@cspringle.com www.cspringle.com MNK Engineering T/A CS Pringle Incorporated in Ireland: Reg No 640491 Registered Office: Main St, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. Page 1 of 4 Date: 19/05/2026 Our Ref: KOR/DR/6760 Planning Department, Monaghan County Council, Dublin St. Monaghan, Co. Monaghan. Re: Response to additional information for CMETB, planning application 2560386 at Connabury/Onomy, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. Dear Ben, Please find attached our proposed revised submission based on the pre- planning discussions previously. As suggested, we are now submitting our proposals for your consideration before formally lodging same. 1. As per the information submitted, it is unconfirmed that the development would not have a detrimental impact on neighbouring houses and adjoining road users. Policy RAP 1 of the County Development Plan 2025-2031 states that development which has the potential to detrimentally impact on the residential amenity of properties in the vicinity shall be resisted. The proposal would provide a full-sized hurling pitch suitable for all age grades and official fixtures, contrasted with the existing smaller juvenile training pitch. A netted ball wall playing area, on the site boundary, is also proposed. Given the proximity of the site to the public road and to residential properties along said road, and the differing characteristics of hurling play, including the potential for sliotars to travel at higher speeds and greater distances than footballs, there is potential for increased noise, disturbance, and occasional nuisance or safety impacts from stray balls. Accordingly, to allow for a fully informed decision, please submit: (a) Further details and scaled drawings of the proposed ball-stop netting to be erected around the new pitch, and confirmation that same would be of appropriate height, design, and maintenance standard to prevent overshoot onto adjoining lands and the public road. (b) A maintenance plan for the ball wall playing area to ensure the netting remains in effective condition. Over shooter of balls from this existing pitch. We would now like to formally confirm that this proposed development will have no detrimental impact on the amenity of this area. The existing playing field has been in existence for the last 40-50years. In that time, it has been used for all types of sporting events. Including senior hurling matches and training. In all of this time there has never been a complaint to the Faughs GFC that this facility had caused any nuisance to the amenity this area. It should be noted that while hurling at all levels has been played on this pitch no complaints have been received. The very thick hedgerow and bank along the main road has down through the years caught any stray hurling balls and thus they do not go out onto the public road. We therefore conclude that there is no requirement for Ball Stopper nets at the rear of the goalposts towards the Main Road. For the past 40-50 years there has been no Ball Stopper nets and this precedent has been established without any complaints from neighbouring properties. However, considering your advice, all parties have agreed to move the Ball Wall to the rear of the site. As there will be a difference in level at the rear the relocation will also help to retain the higher ground. It is proposed to landscape the southern corner of the Ball Wall to screen off the drop in levels. RECEIVED: 19/05/2026 Page 2 of 4 Architects Consulting Engineers Building Surveyors Noise: We have carried out a basic noise survey of this area as follows on the 2-12-2025. We have recorded noise levels on this very busy Main Road at a location on the footpath on the same side as the dwellings. • When quite with general background noise the reading was 55DBA – 56DBA • With cars only passing the reading was between 65 DBA -77DBA. • With lorries and tractors this went up to between 82.3 DBA - 85DBA. Noise levels taken at the front door of the dwellings, • was reading at 58DBA background noise with no vehicles on the road. • With cars only the reading was 58DBA W • With Lorries and tractors 74DBA. Noise levels on the actual pitch were recorded at 55.2DBA - 62.1 DBA during the school lunch time break where general student activities were taking place along with a school football match. These noise levels as can be seen are still well below the levels experienced by the residents from the passing traffic on the main road. It is a fact that this facility being in place for 40-50 years will be no different now with this proposal than what has been set as a precedent of Main Road traffic noise over this long period of time. Conclusion These readings help to prove that the noise levels experienced by the owners of the dwellings coming from the traffic on the Main Road far outweighs the noise levels coming from the use of the pitch. In relation to 1(a) above, On the basis that over shooting of hurling balls and footballs has never been a problem during the 50- year lifetime of this existing pitch it is felt that the erection of ball stoppers would be visually intrusive. As stated, the existing hedgerow and bank at the side of the Main Road has captured any stray balls before they might reach the Main Road. Also, note that the new pitch has been pushed further to the rear of this complex and so the situation now for the distance between the pitch and the Main Road will be even better than before. In relation to 1(b) above, Please find attached a maintenance plan for the ball wall playing area. Please also note that there is a maintenance man Mr. Pat Merrick attached to the club on site every day. 2. To ensure the proposed lighting would not adversely affect residential amenity or result in light pollution, please submit further lighting design details, prepared by a qualified lighting engineer, including: (a) The number, height, and orientation of all floodlighting columns. (b) The maximum illumination levels on the playing surface and predicted light spill (in lux) at the nearest residential boundaries. (c) Confirmation that the fittings would be fully cowled, LED -type, and designed to eliminate upward light spill. Please find a revised site plan drawing showing the location of the six lighting standards (6760-26-FI-001). The lighting company has provided a revised detailed specification for the lighting which will be fully cowled to the required standards. There will be no upward light spillage. 3. As per the information submitted, concerns arise regarding the potential for increased noise, lighting, and traffic activity relative to the existing conditions – it is unclear whether adequate mitigation has been proposed. Accordingly, in the interest of clarity and to allow for fully informed decision, please confirm the intended frequency and scale of use of the extended pitch, indicating: (a) Whether the facility will host adult and/or competitive fixtures. (b) Expected weekly usage hours, including use of and accessibility to the ball wall area. RECEIVED: 19/05/2026 Page 3 of 4 Architects Consulting Engineers Building Surveyors (c) Proposed arrangements for traffic and crowd management during games. 3 (a) Please find attached a letter from the Faughs GFC Club explain the use of the proposed extended pitch. 3(b) It should be noted that there is already a Ball Wall at this location. This has been in existence for over 40 years. Children and adults use this to train when they are training on their own. The same will apply to the new Ball Wall where there will be very limited numbers using it at any one time. The new facility is to upgrade the existing Ball Wall and make it more comfortable for players to use. By now moving the Ball Wall to the rear there should be no worries about excessive noise levels from sam e. 3(c) There are two senior adult pitches already completed at this facility and these cater for any competitive matches where you might need to deal with a crowd. This new pitch is more for additional training facilities to take the pressure off the two existing main pitches. 4. In the interest of clarity and to allow for fully informed decision on visual and residential amenity impact, please submit a cross-section and/or photomontage showing the relationship between the proposed pitch, netting, and lighting columns relative to the neighbouring residential properties along the adjoining Dublin Road. In the interest of clarity, a photomontage has been submitted with this application showing the relationship between the proposed pitch, netting and lighting columns relative to the neighbouring residential properties along the adjoining Dublin Road. 5. The information submitted is insufficient with regards environmental protection. Accordingly, please submit a revised site drainage plan (1:500) demonstrating the following: (i) Existing and proposed surface water drainage systems (outlined in blue). (ii) Existing and proposed foul water drainage systems (outlined in red). (iii) All associated discharge points and outfalls. 5(i) Please see revised site plan (ref: 6760-26-FI-001) showing the location of the existing 300mm Surface Water Drainage pipeline. The drainage from the existing pitch flows to this drain and the extended pitch area will be drained to this existing surface water daring system. 5(ii) There is no proposal for any new foul water drainage. 5(iii) The drainage from the extended pitch area and the existing pitch area will drain to the existing drainage system. It is understood that this drains directly towards the Dundalk Road and then to Lough Muckno. 6. Policy LCP 1 of the County Development Plan 2025-2031 requires that all planning applications include a comprehensive (hard and soft) landscaping plan commensurate to the scale of development on -site. Accordingly, please submit an exclusive landscaping site layout plan that clearly confirms the nature and extent of the required (hard and soft) landscaping. Same shall focus specifically on boundary and curtilage treatments around and within the site, and surfacing spec. It is an important aspect of this project that Landscaping will be carried out. The new boundary between the Faughs land and Monaghan Co. Co. land will be fenced and planted with a native white thorn hedging. The existing hedgerow along the Main Road will be enhanced and protected. The same can be said for the existing hedgerow between the existing pitch and the CMETB School property. This will be enhanced and protected. A new section to the rear of the new extended pitch will be planted with White Thorn, Mountain Ash, Scots Pine and Silver Berch. Details of the amended landscaping plan can be found on drawing (ref: 6760-26-FI-001) and fully complies with Policy LCP1 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 - 2031. RECEIVED: 19/05/2026 Page 4 of 4 Architects Consulting Engineers Building Surveyors We have enclosed the following Drawings & Documents for the proposed works at Castleblayney Hurling Club. Drawings: • 6760-26-FI-001 Site Layout Plan • 6760-26-FI-002 Site Sections • 6760-26-FI-004 Floor Plan, Elevations & Sections • Photo montage of Proposed Ball Wall Documents: • Letter from Castleblayney Faughs • Maintenance Plan for Proposed Ball Wall • Revised Lighting Report • Lighting specifications and anti-glare shutter We hope you find this submission to your satisfaction. Please confirm if this submission requires Significant Additional Information status or not? Yours Sincerely, Dean Ryan For CS Pringle. RECEIVED: 19/05/2026