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September 21 2021 02:00 AM
A PLANNING APPLICATION by Kilrush GAA club has gone to the appeal stages with An Bord Pleanala following an objection on environmental grounds.
Wexford County Council granted permission last month to erect perimeter lighting at the existing walking track and all associated site and ancillary works, but a local submission received in June calling for an “environmental intervention assessment” has stalled the process.
An objection from Luke Robson of Ballyroebuck laid out six reasons for objecting, mainly dealing with the impact of the lighting on nearby neighbours, the prospect of “bad lighting” and high intensity of the lights on the environment.
The case is due to be decided by An Bord Pleanala by January 19, 2022 and, in the meantime, Natura Impact Statements will be gathered along with an Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
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Jack Quinn, PRO of Kilrush GAA Club, said that the club is willing to work with anyone who is concerned about the proposed lighting.
“We held a big fundraiser in March which was supported by the wider community, businesses and politicians in an effort to raise money to light the walking track for winter and this application was submitted in May so this has been going on for months,” he said.
“We were confident that we had everything in order and that the lights would be erected in time, as the evenings start to get shorter. We were disappointed when we heard that it has gone to An Bord Pleanala as it’ll certainly delay things.”
He said it was “a real shame” as the facility has been getting great use throughout the year.
“Other GAA clubs in rural areas have lit tracks like this and it’s a lot safer to exercise in the likes of this than to run or walk on dark rural roads. The track itself is open to all of the community not just those in GAA circles and we’re open to find a solution that works for everyone as we want to have this set up and ready to be used,’ he said.
Sponsorship for the lighting has come from Gibbet Hill Wind Farm already.
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