Tipperary GAA club to get new clubhouse despite residents’ objections
A Tipperary GAA club’s major upgrade of facilities has been given the green light, despite objections from residents that labelled an aspect of the project as being “like a prison wall”.
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.
The club also planned 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.
According to planning files, the project “seeks to enhance and modernize the facilities at this well-established GAA club grounds.”
"This project aims to significantly improve the dated sports and recreation facilities at Fethard GAA Park for the benefit of juvenile and adult players, spectators, mentors and the wider community,” planning files state.
The facilities would be used by Fethard GAA, Fethard Ladies Gaelic Football Club, St Rita’s Camogie Club, the juvenile club and the local schools.
The plans faced several objections, with the residents of St Patrick’s Place raising concerns about the relocation of the hurling wall, the potential loss of privacy and the surface water run-off from the new stand.
"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 that the hurling wall and the new scoreboard will be facing into some residents’ gardens, and said that these will block the view and reduce sunlight for residents in the area.
"The height of the proposed ball wall … will block the view and reduce natural light into the resident’s properties and will look unsightly and will resemble a prison wall,” they added.
Despite the objections, Tipperary County Council granted planning permission for the major development, subject to nine conditions.