This article is from page 13 of the 2012-01-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
A DECISION to grant planning permission to Eire Óg GAA Club for the construction of a hurling wall has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
Eire Óg are seeking to construct a hurling wall adjacent to the clubhouse, including the removal of netting on the pitch side of the existing all-weather facility and replacing it with the hurling wall.
However, neighbours Enzo and Nuala D’Auria have appealed the decision, citing in their objection concerns over potential anti-social behaviour and noise.
Last month, Ennis Town Council granted planning permission subject to a number of conditions.
The council stated that, as part of the development, “Netting shall be erected along the north eastern side of the existing all-weather pitch to protect the adjacent property from wayward balls, details of which shall be agreed with the planning authority prior to the commencement of the development.”
The council also stated that, “The hurling wall shall only be used between the hours of 9am and 9pm on Monday to Friday and 10am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.”
In their submission, Enzo and Nuala D’Auria, whose property is located beside the Eire Óg grounds on Clondroadmore, state, “We have endured trespass (reclaiming of balls), vulgarity of language emanating from the all-weather facility outside our boundary wall. Currently, we are presented within the club as bad neighbours and generally we suffer inconveniences resulting from various developments within Club grounds.”
The submission states that the purpose of the hurling wall is to “cater for a squad of players (30 number) practicing hand-eye coordination, sure hands, quick feet and lightning reactions.”
It continues, “From a technical point of view, every player needs 200 contacts per session to improve their skills. During a single session, this can result in 6,000 bangs on the wall in a one-hour period (Ref: GAA’s Director of Hurling Paudie Butler).”
The submission states that draw- ings submitted by Eire Óg offer a clear indication of “existing flood lighting post”. “We would contend that there is an attempt with the current application through the ‘back door’ to regularise these posts and allow for future lighting to be fixed to same.”
The D’Aurias state that the application does not provide details on associate drainage and bundling of gables.
They also express concern over supervision of the facility, saying it could lead to “unauthorised and out-of-hours use and anti-social behaviour”.
The submission also cites concerns over the acoustic impact of the proposed development.
“The noise from the wall would be a source of serious and significant impact and intrusion.
“Along with the thwack of the sliotar on the hurleys, one also has to consider the noise from the strike on the wall. The key noise-sensitive location associated with the proposal is my property. This is a significant issue in the context of the proposal.”
The submission concludes, “While we fully accept that sports and recreation facilities are important for people to live a full and active life, we would request your council to request the applicant to seek an alternative more suitable location within their grounds or refuse this application.”
An Bord Pleanála are due to make a decision on the matter in May.