HomeMy WebLinkAbout2660170 - Submission - [E] Walter ReedMOt CO. CO.
PLANNING SECTION
�2 JUN 2026
)-n.od SoSSri fO
To: Planning Department
Monaghan County Council
1 Dublin Street
Monaghan
Guardhill
Newbliss
Co. Monaghan
H18 PX52
01.06.2026
Re: Planning Application - Amendments to Previously Approved Development Ref.
23/60253 at Guardhill and Lisalea, Newbliss, Co. Monaghan
Dear Sir/Madam,
I wish to submit a formal objection to the above planning application.
At the outset, I wish to acknowledge the important role that Killeevan Sarsfields GFC plays
within the local community. My objection is not to the club itself, nor to the promotion of
sport and community activities. Rather, my concern relates to the cumulative impact that
the proposed amendments will have on the residential amenity, privacy, wellbeing and
quality of life of neighbouring residents.
Having reviewed the planning application, supporting reports and floodlighting proposal, I
believe the impacts on nearby homes have been underestimated and that the proposed
development will further intensify issues that we as local residents are already
experiencing.
1. Residential Amenity— Floodlighting, Light Pollution and Loss of Privacy
The proposal includes six floodlighting columns approximately 18.29 metres in height
together with 24 LED sports luminaires.
While the submitted lighting report suggests compliance with technical lighting standards,
it does not adequately reflect the real -life impact on nearby residents living within a rural
environment where natural darkness forms an important part of residential life.
The existing floodlighting associated with the sports facilities already causes significant
disturbance to our family home.
Light glare regularly enters bedroom windows and has negatively impacted our ability to
sleep comfortably. The situation became sufficiently problematic that we were forced to
install blackout blinds in an attempt to reduce the effect of the lighting. Despite these
measures, the impact remains noticeable.
In addition, the current lighting significantly illuminates our garden and outdoor areas
during darkness, reducing our privacy and our ability to enjoy our property in what was
previously a naturally dark rural setting.
The proposed additional floodlighting will inevitably increase these impacts.
I understand that there may be technical compliance with the proposed lighting but the
practical, lived experience is significant due to the intensity of modern floodlighting
systems. I am concerned that the cumulative impact of the existing and proposed
floodlighting on our property and nearby residential properties has not been fully assessed,
particularly in relation to living rooms, bedrooms, private gardens and outdoor living areas.
2. Increased Noise, Extended Hours of Activity and Impact on Family Life
One of the most valued characteristics of this area is, its peaceful rural environment.
However, evening activity associated with the existing facilities has already resulted in
increased noise levels within our home.
Training sessions, matches, vehicle movements, spectators and associated activity have
altered the character of what was once a quiet rural setting.
This has impacted our family's ability to relax, concentrate, enjoy our home and spend
quality time together during evenings.
The proposed floodlighting will facilitate increased use of the facilities during darker
months and later into the evening. The proposed development will further intensify activity
on the site.
As a result, residents can reasonably expect:
• Increased evening training sessions. • Additional matches and events. • Increased
vehicle movements after dark. • Greater spectator activity. • Increased noise associated
with organised sporting activity.
The cumulative effect of increased lighting, increased activity and increased noise should
not be underestimated.
Residential amenity is not simply a technical planning concept; it directly affects the
quality of daily life experienced by our family and other local families. Continued
intensification of activity has the potential to negatively impact sleep quality, stress levels,
family wellbeing and mental health.
No detailed noise impact assessment appears to have been submitted to properly assess
these effects on nearby homes.
3. Traffic, Parking, Road Safety and Impact on Residential Privacy
I note that the Road Safety Audit identifies several concerns regarding parking provision,
congestion, traffic conflict and pedestrian safety in the vicinity of the development.
The audit highlights existing issues associated with:
• School traffic. • Parking displacement. • Double parking. • Pedestrian safety. • Vehicle
conflict points. • School drop-off and collection arrangements.
These issues already exist and are regularly experienced by local residents.
As activity within the area has increased, our private driveway is frequently used by
motorists as an informal turning area.
Vehicles regularly enter our property to turn around, creating additional disturbance, noise
and headlight glare directed towards our home.
This repeated intrusion negatively impacts our privacy and enjoyment of our property.
The proposed development is likely to increase traffic volumes further and intensify these
existing problems.
The cumulative impact of school traffic, childcare traffic, GAA activity and future evening
use of the facilities appears to have been underestimated within the application.
4. Visual Impact, Loss of Rural Character and Loss of Residential Outlook
Our family chose to live in this location because of its rural character, peaceful setting and
countryside views.
A particularly important aspect of our property is its outlook towards the surrounding
landscape, including views of the hilltop and ringfortwhich contribute significantly to the
character of the area.
The proposed development would fundamentally alter this setting.
Rather than enjoying views of the surrounding countryside, residents will be faced with a
substantial two -storey building together with large-scale sports infrastructure and
floodlighting columns reaching 18.29 metres in height will become the dominant visual
structure within the local landscape. In fact, the development will permanently impact the
visual character of the area and introduce urban style lighting into an otherwise rural
location. There will be a bright illuminated pitch visible from a significant distance, light
spill and "glow" in the sky during operation.
The proposed development represents a significant visual intrusion within an otherwise
rural landscape.
This is not simply a matter of aesthetics.
The enjoyment of one's home is closely linked to privacy, outlook, openness and
connection with the surrounding environment. The gradual loss of these qualities can have
a significant impact on quality of life and wellbeing.
I do not believe the submitted documentation adequately assesses the impact of the
proposed structures on our property and neighbouring residential properties, particularly
in relation to loss of outlook and visual amenity.
5. Ecological and Environmental Concerns
I am concerned that insufficient consideration has been given to the ecological impacts of
increased floodlighting and extended evening activity.
The site is located within a rural environment adjacent to open countryside, hedgerows
and wildlife habitats.
Artificial lighting has the potential to negatively impact:
• Bats. • Birds. • Insects. • Wildlife corridors. • Local biodiversity.
Given the rural nature of this site, further assessment of these impacts should be
undertaken before any decision is made.
6. Future Intensification of Use
A further concern is that approval of this application willfacilitate a gradual increase in the
scale and intensity of activity at the site over time.
Residents require certainty regarding:
• Hours of operation. • Floodlight operating times. • Clubhouse operating hours. • Use of
Public address systems. • Future expansion of facilities.
The application does not provide sufficient reassurance regarding how these matters will
be controlled.
7. Cumulative Impact on Residential Amenity
While each individual element of the proposal may appear acceptable when considered in
isolation, it is the cumulative impact that causes the greatest concern.
As a local resident, we are already experiencing the effects of:
• Existing floodlighting. • Increased evening activity. • Increased traffic. • Loss of privacy. •
Noise disturbance.
The current application proposes further floodlighting, a new pitch, a new indoor playing
arena with two storey structure, revisions to signage and increased evening usage.
Taken together, these developments will result in a substantial deterioration in residential
amenity for our home and neighbouring households.
I respectfully ask the Planning Authority to give full consideration to the lived experience of
our family and other families who reside in the immediate vicinity of the development and
who will bear the long-term consequences of any decision made.
Yours faithfully,
James and Zandra Montgomery