Sports clubs scurry to get planning applications in ahead of deadline

Meath County Council is dealing with a glut of planning applications from sports clubs around the county for facilities lodged in advance of the closing date for the Sports Capital Grant Scheme.

There has been a flurry of activity in the last month as clubs submit planning applications before the closing date for the scheme on 8th September with grant applications holding more weight if the clubs can show they have a planning application granted or lodged.

Sixteen applications from sports clubs around Meath were lodged with the planning authority since 23rd August and a further two that were submitted were deemed to be incomplete.

The proposed developments vary from clubhouse facilities to floodlighting to the construction of astro-turf pitches from clubs across the county.

Drumbaragh Emmets GFC is seeking permission for an extension to the side and rear of existing dressing rooms to include sports hall/function room, gym toilets and a new proprietary waste water treatment unit.

Kells Handball Club has lodged plans for a one wall handball court (4.9m high) in the existing yard, a new retaining boundary wall to the west boundary and to form a new pedestrian access from public footpath to existing yard at Church Lane, Kells.

Dunboyne Associated Football Club has plans to erect six 15m high floodlight poles and associated lighting for the existing main pitch and training pitch at Summerhill Road, Dunboyne.

Rathmolyon GAA Club is seeking permission for two all-weather playing areas of 35mx22m and 15.5mx10m, with mesh fencing around the perimeter, ball stop netting, four 8m high lighting masts and floodlights at Glebe, Rathmolyon.

Clonard GAA has plans for a new two-storey community sports facilities building including changing rooms, showers, WCs, store-rooms, meeting-room, kitchen and sports hall at St Finian's Park. Planning was previously granted in 2015 for the clubhouse development.

Slane GFC is seeking permission an all-weather astro pitch with 2.4m high surround fencing with 5.4m high ball netting and six12m high poles with flood lighting as well as a 5m high x 26m long skills wall at Monknewtown, Slane.

St Peters GAA, Dunboyne, has plans for new single-storey detached toilet facilities at the south-eastern corner of the Dunboyne GAA Castle Pitches, new single storey, detached toilet facilities at the south-eastern corner of the Academy Pitches and a new single storey storage unit at the south-western corner of the Academy Pitches at Rooske Road, Dunboyne.

Slane Wanderers FC is seeking retention and planning permission to demolition existing sports changing rooms building and detached store, and planning permission to construct a detached sports complex including changing rooms, toilets, store, meeting room and gym/meeting/multi-purpose room, along with an all weather pitch and the upgrade of two full size pitches, installation of floodlights, to construct a basketball court and tennis court, a proposed pedestrian entrance, car parking and amendment to the existing site entrance, at Slane Castle Demense, Slane.

Skryne Tara AFC has applied for permission for the installation of six new floodlights to its existing sports pitch at Ross, Tara.

Ballinlough GFC has plans for an all weather synthetic grass pitch together with perimeter fencing and six 12m high light columns at Belview, Ballinlough.

Duleek AFC is seeking permission for a new natural grass football pitch, the erection of four floodlights, 15m in height, a 20m long open spectator stand and a warm up side pitch, at Carranstown, Duleek.

Parkvilla FC has plans for the installation of 3.6m high netting above the existing 2.4m high mesh fence (6m high in total) at the perimeter of Parkvilla Football Club football grounds at Watters Lane, Commons Road, Navan.

Enfield Celtic Football Club is seeking permission for 2.4m pitch perimeter fencing around the main pitch, replacing the surface of the main playing pitch with artificial grass, together with underground drainage and site preparation works and the retention of a 5m high ball stopping net on the south boundary of the playing grounds at Dublin Road, Enfield.

Ballivor GFC 's planning application seeks permission for revisions to the club house plans and elevations and the resultant minor revisions to the site layout plan previously granted permission at Killaconnigan, Ballivor.

Athboy Rugby FC is proposing to build a new single-storey club dressing room to replace the existing temporary dressing room containers, at eighty-eight Acres, Athboy, while Athboy Celtic FC has plans for a new artificial 3G all weather playing pitch, including floodlighting and ball stopping fence at Athboy Community Park, Athboy.

Two further applications lodged by East Meath United and Navan Pitch and Putt Club were deemed to be incomplete. East Meath United had sought permission for a single storey building containing a fitness room and toilets at their grounds at Minnistown, Laytown, while Navan Pitch and Putt Club has sought permission for a new single storey building with toilets, changing area, plant room and meeting room with a connection to existing two-storey club house at Dan Shaw Road, Dillonsland, Navan.