Row erupts over Tipperary GAA club expansion as residents and tennis club lodge appeal
Planning permission for the expansion of a Tipperary GAA club has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP).
Fethard GAA Club applied to Tipperary County Council for planning permission to build a new two-storey clubhouse facility with two changing rooms, showers, toilet facilities, a referees’ room, a meeting room, and a medical/store room and multi-purpose room.
The club also sought permission for the demolition of the existing spectator stand and the construction of a new spectator stand, as well as the installation of a new hurling wall.
As part of the development, the club plan to install a footpath and low-level perimeter fencing around the existing GAA pitch, as well as the relocation of the existing electric scoreboard, and the relocation of existing ball-stop net.
Tipperary County Council granted planning permission for the development last month, but now, Fethard Tennis Club, as well as a group of residents in nearby St Patrick’s Place have appealed the decision to ACP.
In their appeal, Fethard Tennis Club said they are disappointed in the council’s decision to grant planning permission, stating that the GAA club’s plans to use the tennis courts as an access route will have a significant impact on the club and its future development.
"The planner’s report stated concerns around patrons walking across the tennis courts to access the stand is an issue to be addressed by the operators of the facility.
"It is disappointing that the planning authority has failed to address this issue and in doing so has demonstrated non-adherence to the policy set out in the county development plan,” the tennis club said.
The tennis club argued that granting permission has "sacrificed the improvement and expansion of other sports facilities.”
"In order to allow for continued use of the tennis courts, access to the spectator stand from the courts should be closed and all access to the path and stand should be taken from the existing main hardcore entrance area only,” they added.
In their appeal, residents living in St Patrick’s Place said there has been “no consideration” given to them and the disturbance that the expanded facilities will have on their lives.
"The people seeking planning permission are not living here and are not impacted by the noise and disturbance that it will have on the residents,” they said.
The group say that antisocial behaviour associated with the GAA grounds, issues around parking, noise and light disturbance will all be exacerbated by the development if it goes ahead.
"The residents say the proposed development of the ball wall and the proposed relocation for the existing scoreboard will curtail light and views, and goes against the Fethard Public Realm Plan, protected view of the town wall.
"This will have a visual impact on the setting of a heritage asset and [will lead to] obstruction of views,” they added.
Pointing out the short distance from the houses to the proposed hurling ball wall, the residents say that the repetetive noise will impact negatively on their quality of life.
"The hurling ball wall will be creating further noise pollution for the residents,” the objection said.
"The constant, repetitive sound of a hard sliotar striking a wall can have a serious detrimental impact on us, the residents nearby, as the boundary wall to the astro-turf is only 84 feet for some residents, leading to reduced quality of life for some residents,” they added.
The residents’ group also raised concerns about the positioning of the hurling wall and new scoreboard. They said both would face directly into some gardens.
"The height of the proposed ball wall … will block the view and reduce natural light into the residents’ properties and will look unsightly and will resemble a prison wall,” they added.
No date has been given by An Coimisiún Pleanála for when a decision will be made.