Objectors said there was no community consultation
Glen Road Grove, leading to Glen Road Heights, and St Teresa’s GAC by Google Maps
A West Belfast Gaelic Athletic Club has received approval for a major extension and facelift, despite objections from local residents.
St Teresa’s GAC, at Glen Road Heights, has been successful in its application for an extension to the existing clubhouse to provide an indoor sports hall, changing rooms, reception, a fitness suite, and a new pitch.
Elected representatives at the February meeting of the Belfast City Council Planning Committee unanimously approved the application, which includes a proposed relocation of a grass pitch and the creation of a new 3G training pitch with integrated ball walls, as well as a new building to be used as a club store and match day shop. Other site works will include increased parking, new fencing, catch nets, floodlighting, dugouts, and paths.
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The site currently has two large sports pitches with a clubhouse and associated parking. There is also an existing nursery school within the site opposite the existing clubhouse.
Statutory consultees raised no objections, but at the time of the committee approval final comments from Shared Environmental Services and DfI Rivers Agency were outstanding. Council officers recommended the application for approval.
The council received 14 letters of objection from local residents. Some said the design plan was “out of character for residential area” and warned about future issues relating to floodlighting, noise, traffic and parking, and access for emergency vehicles
Objectors raised concerns about children’s health and safety due to increased air pollution, the impact on the mental health of locals, on wildlife and biodiversity ,and about the loss of green space and views for residents. Objectors said there was no community consultation, and the proposal amounted to overdevelopment.
The council officer planning report states: “The proposal seeks to extend the existing clubhouse, formalise the existing car parking area and add a 3G training pitch adjacent.
“This is proposed in the existing car parking area as well as part of one of the existing sports pitches. Two pitches are proposed directly adjacent to this area, extending in a northeast direction, where the existing large pitches are currently, ie, a GAA grass football pitch and a smaller GAA grass training pitch.
“The proposal does result in a net loss of open space, approximately seven percent of the site. The predominant use is for recreation and the proposal seeks to complement the existing recreational use in terms of extending the facilities. It is considered in accordance with the requirements of policy.”
The report adds: “Concerns were raised by objectors that the proposal would result in a loss of their view of the landscape nearby; however it is considered that the proposed pitches would have a negligible visual impact on the locality.
“The extension to the clubhouse will have no greater visual impacts than the existing building on site. All buildings and structures are of a scale and character that would be reasonably expected at a sports facility.
“The proposed scale, form, massing, design and materials are considered acceptable and will not adversely impact on local character. On balance, the proposal would not result in adverse visual impacts.”
It states: “The proposal will result in the loss of approximately 2600 metres squared of green space, which is approximately seven percent of the overall site, albeit that there is additional green space outside the red line of the development. The proposal’s small footprint in relation to the facility as a whole will not negatively impact the availability of open space.
“Officers are therefore satisfied that on balance, the loss of open space would not result in detriment to the overall green infrastructure provision. There would be no adverse landscape or biodiversity impacts, and the proposal would have minimal impact on sustainable drainage systems given the large areas of surrounding grassed open space.”
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