2150401

(1) DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING PITCH PREVIOUSLY APPROVED UNDER PLANNING REF: 15/50244 (2) ERECTION OF (A) BALL-STOPPING FENCING PREVIOUSLY APPROVED UNDER PLANNING REF: 15/50244 (B) ADDITIONAL BALL-STOPPING FENCING (C) FLOODLIGHTING (3) COMPLETION OF SITEWORKS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED UNDER PLANNING REF: 15/50244

Granted

Core Planning Reasoning

The Inspector recommended granting permission because the development is consistent with the established sports facility use at the site and complies with the Donegal County Development Plan 2018-2024, provided that conditions are met to mitigate light spill and visual impact.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The principle of development is established and consistent with the long-standing use of the site as a sports facility.
  • Potential residential and visual amenity impacts, specifically regarding floodlight spill and the height of the ball-stopping netting, can be managed through conditions requiring light hooding and landscaping buffers.
  • The development does not require a mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or Appropriate Assessment (AA) as it is unlikely to have significant effects on the environment or Natura 2000 sites.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Donegal County Development Plan 2018-2024Section 7.1.1 (Scenic Amenity)Policy NH-P-7 (High Scenic Amenity)Policy CCG-P-1 (Social and Community Infrastructure)Appendix 3 (Development Guidelines and Technical Standards)Section 10.2.10 (Chapter 10)

Decision Document Summary

The proposal involves the construction of a training pitch, 16m-high floodlighting, ball-stopping fencing (up to 8m high), and the completion of site works at Raphoe Town FC in Co. Donegal. The site is located in a rural, unzoned area designated as an Area of High Scenic Amenity. A third-party appeal was lodged by a neighbor, Ciaran Neary, citing concerns over light pollution, visual impact, devaluation of property, and risks to local wildlife. The Inspector argued that the development is a comp...
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