HomeMy WebLinkAbout2560386 - Planners ReportMONAGHAN COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
File Ref: 25/60386
Applicant: Cavan and Monaghan Education Training Board
Advertised development description: Permission to extend existing GAA pitch to include
excavation of in-earth material and re-use of same on site to remodel playing pitch, new
goal posts, new enclosed ball wall playing area, new generator room, new ball stopping nets,
new cowled floodlighting, a new retaining wall and demolition of old ticket box building
together with all ancillary and associated site works.
Location: Connabury and Onomy, Casteblayney.
Characteristics of Site/Area
Playing pitch within Castleblayney – bordered to the north by Castleblayney (secondary
school) College and to the south by the long-established Castleblaney Faughs GAA ground.
Aerial photo of the existing GAA pitch and the surrounds
Relevant Planning History
Nothing identified.
Objections/Submissions/Observations
None.
Consultation
Municipal District (MD) Engineer: No objections.
Road Design Section (generally): No objections.
Uisce Éireann/Water Services: No objections.
Environment Section: Comments received and noted – conditionally satisfied.
An Taisce (re heritage impact): No response.
DHLGH: (re heritage impact): Comments received and noted.
Heritage Officer: No response.
Appropriate Assessment
Under Article 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive and Regulation 30 of SI no. 94/1997
“European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations” (1997) any plan or project which
has the potential to significantly impact on the integrity of a Natura 2000 site (i.e. an SAC or
SPA) must be subject to an Appropriate Assessment. This requirement is also detailed under
Section 177(U) of the Planning and Development Acts (2000-2010).
Site is removed from any Natura 2000 sites and there are no significant pathway connectors
in the vicinity. Having regard to the context and the development as proposed, and the
activities associated with the development proposal both during and post construction
works, it is taken that it is not necessary for an Appropriate Assessment to be carried out in
relation to this development.
Planning Assessment
As per the info, it is taken that the development would facilitate the Castleblayney Hurling
club. Objective CFP 3 of the County Development Plan 2025-2031 seeks to promote the
appropriate provision, improvement and expansion of sports facilities within the county.
Section 15.22.2 and Policy RAP 1 of the County Development Plan 2025-2031 state that
development which has the potential to detrimentally impact on the residential amenity of
properties in the vicinity shall be resisted.
The redevelopment would intensify activity on-site. 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.
Nothing has been offered concerning potential impact on neighbouring houses or adjoining
road users.
Conclusions
Further Information (FI) is needed. A pre-application consultation did not take place.
Screenshot from the proposed site layout
Recommendation
To request FURTHER INFORMATION:
Note: A pre-application consultation did not take place.
You and/or your assigned agent should liaise with Planning Section prior to the preparation
and submission of this Further Information.
The submission should take a coherent account of any issues that overlap/interlink.
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.
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.
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.
(c) Proposed arrangements for traffic and crowd management during games.
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.
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.
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.
Ben Clerkin
Planner
13/11/2025
Further Information (FI)
▪ A formal response was received on the 19/05/2026.
▪ A pre-submission consultation took place.
FI Planning Assessment
Regarding the six FI request points:
1. The applicant has confirmed that the existing pitch has operated for several decades
without recorded complaint and relies on the existing roadside hedgerow and
embankment for containment.
Whilst no additional roadside ball-stop netting is proposed, the submitted site layout
plan provides for ball-stop netting behind both goal areas, where the risk of over-shot
balls is greatest.
The proposal also relocates the ball wall to the rear of the site, thereby increasing
separation distances from the public road and neighbouring dwellings.
2. A lighting report has been submitted confirming the provision of six floodlighting
columns, including luminaire specification, orientation and light spill modelling.
LED floodlights with cowling and anti-glare measures would be used; designed to
minimise light spill and glare.
The lighting design confirms no upward light spill and low predicted illumination levels at
the adjoining road.
3. A response has been provided confirming that the proposed pitch will primarily be used
for training and underage fixtures, with existing main pitches accommodating adult
competitive matches.
The development is intended to supplement existing facilities and distribute usage,
rather than significantly intensify activity on-site.
Existing arrangements for parking and event management within the established
grounds will continue to operate.
4. Photomontages and sectional drawings have been submitted illustrating the relationship
between the proposed pitch, lighting columns and surrounding properties. As requested,
these show the relationship between the proposed pitch, netting, and lighting columns
relative to the neighbouring residential properties along the adjoining Dublin Road.
5. Further site drainage details confirm that surface water from the extended pitch will
connect to the existing drainage network, with no additional foul drainage proposed.
6. A compliant landscaping plan has been submitted detailing proposed planting, boundary
treatments and retention/enhancement of existing hedgerows.
Conclusions
Having regard to the FI submitted, the established use of the site as a long-standing GAA
facility, and the mitigation measures incorporated into the design, it is considered that the
proposed development would not give rise to a significant adverse impact on residential
amenity or public safety.
A conditional grant of permission is recommended, and a development contribution is not
due as per Section 19(a) of the Council’s General Development Contributions Scheme 2021-
2026.
Recommendation
That Permission is GRANTED subject to the following conditions:
1. During the construction phase, the developer shall ensure that all public roads and
footpaths adjacent to the site are kept free from mud, debris and other materials associated
with the works. Any such material deposited on the public road shall be removed
immediately.
Reason: In the interest of traffic safety and residential amenity.
2. Ball-stop netting shall be provided behind both goal areas in accordance with the
submitted site layout plan and same shall be retained and maintained in good condition.
Reason: In the interest of public safety and residential amenity.
3. The proposed floodlighting shall be installed and thereafter operated in accordance with
the details submitted, including the lighting report, specifications, and anti-glare measures.
All fittings shall be cowled and positioned so as to minimise light spill and glare beyond the
site boundaries. All floodlights shall cease to operate between the hours of 22:30 and 08:00.
Reason: In the interests of residential amenity and orderly development.
4. (a) All landscaping works, including planting, boundary treatments, and the retention and
enhancement of existing hedgerows, shall be carried out in accordance with the submitted
landscaping details during the first planting season following completion of the
development.
(b) Any trees or plants which die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased
within a period of five years from completion of the development shall be similarly replaced
in the next planting season.
(c) Existing hedgerows and boundary vegetation along the site perimeter shall be retained
and protected during construction, except where removal is necessary to facilitate the
development hereby permitted. Any such areas shall be reinstated as part of the landscaping
scheme.
Reason: In the interest of visual amenity and appropriate design.
5. Surface water drainage shall be provided and maintained in accordance with the
submitted drainage details. All surface water shall discharge to the existing drainage
network as proposed, and no surface water shall be permitted to discharge onto the public
road.
Reason: In the interest of appropriate design and to prevent flooding or nuisance.
6. The development shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the plans and documents
submitted on the 24/09/2025 as amended on the 19/05/2026, except as may otherwise be
required in order to comply with the above conditions.
Reason: In the interest of proper planning and sustainable development.
Ben Clerkin
Planner
08/06/2026