Appeal against Navan O'Mahonys training facility

The granting of planning permission to Navan O'Mahony's GAA Club for a new training facility at Robinrath and Knockumber, Navan, has been appealed to an Bord Pleanala. The granting of planning approval for the development has been appealed by Brendan and John Foley, Robinrath, Navan. In a submission on their behalf, chartered engineer Frank Burke said that both his clients resident in a dwelling which is located in the middle of the proposed development. Navan Town Council and Meath County Council have granted planning permission to the Navan club to develop four sand-based GAA pitches on a 7.39 hectares site on the outskirts of the town. The development includes the formation of four sand-based GAA pitches, pitch lighting for two pitches to the north and north-west of the site, connection to the Navan town public sewerage system and the erection of a maintenance equipment store, including housing for a diesel generator. The main entrance to the grounds is to be located off the old Athboy Road. Because the lands fell into both Meath County Council's area and the Navan Town Council area, concurrent planning applications were submitted to both authorities. The appeal has been lodged against Navan Town Council's granting of planning permission for the development. Issues raised in the appeal include planning issues, traffic and related issues, surface water, public health issues, sewerage disposal, light intrusion, noise intrusion and devaluation. The submission states that the zoning of the lands for recreational purposes is against the proper planning and development and that the impact of the zoning on the residential amenity of the property was not considered at the zoning stage and that it is bad planning to surround a single dwelling with non-compatable zoning without ensuring at least the provison of substantial buffer. It says that the proposed development will generate cyclist and pedestrian traffic to a road that has "no public lighting, no footpath and has a high operational speed" and it further states that the proposed entrance sightlines at the development are "totally inadequate" for the volume of traffic that would be generated. The submission notes that in the current development proposal, there is no provision for dressing rooms/toilets or changing facilities and that because they are not proposed, the application should be refused. It also says the provision of high-level lighting for two of the four pitches will impact negatively on the residential amenity of the Foley dwelling and that there would also be light intrusion into the property arising from internal site traffic. Noise intrusion generated by the usage of the pitches and traffic is also mentioned. A decision is due on the appeal on 3rd August 2010. Navan O'Mahony's has sold part of its land holding fronting onto Brews Hill, with the proceeds to fund the new training facility. An Aldi discount licensed foodstore is currently under construction on the Brews Hill site after planning permission was granted to the German retailer in October. The Aldi development will include a foodstore with a gross floor area of 1,541 sq metres and 114 surface level car parking spaces.