Letterkenny residents appeal ATU sports development

by Louise Doyle

LETTERKENNY residents have appealed a decision to grant planning permission for a major sports complex to An Bord Pleanála over privacy and noise concerns.

Applicant ATU Donegal lodged plans with Donegal County Council in June 2023 seeking planning permission for the provision of a regional sports complex comprising outdoor pitches, two grass/sand GAA competition pitch and two cross-play soccer pitches.

Donegal County Council gave the go-ahead last month for the development on a 42-acre site at Carnamuggagh Lower/Knocknamona.

The proposed development comprises plans for an indoor dome of 10.8m in height suitable for a number of year-round sports activities.

Proposals also cite multiple outdoor pitches, including artificial grass GAA pitch, grass/sand GAA competition pitch, two natural grass soccer pitches and four synthetic pitches for five-a-side soccer matches.

Hard and soft landscaping to include a biodiversity garden, vehicular and pedestrian access to include new junction from N56, internal access roads, footpath, cycle path and provision of onsite care, coach and cycle parking spaces are also contained in proposals.

Additional pedestrian access point from Ashfield, closure of existing vehicular access from N56 to Knocknamona Crescent and ancillary infrastructure to include drainage, ESB substation, fencing and entrance gates, is also citing in proposals.

But in a written objection to Donegal County Council, residents of Hazelwood Drive estate next to the site have appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála.

They state that while they are “broadly” in support of the project, they voice concern that some issues previously raised had not been addressed.

The residents contend that the development, in its present form and scale, “is excessive and not as sensitive as it should, and could be, to the existing residential properties in Hazelwood Drive, especially those directly facing the proposed development”.

Residents also raised their concerns about noise and nuisance.

“Our estate has a mix of families with young children and elderly persons. Whilst appreciating that the facility would have to operate sufficient hours to meet the needs of the community and be viable, it also needs to take account and respect the privacy and residential amenities of residents, especially those directly facing the complex.”

The residents state that the proposed dome, with proper sound proofing, could, possibly, operate until 10pm, adding: “The hours for use of public address/amplification systems at open air events should be curtailed, in the interests of of residential amenities.

“Concerts or other similar events should be subject to compliance with any legal regulatory requirements for such events.”
An Bord Pleanála is due to make its decision in September.

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