Local resident says: “This is a huge area to be taken out of commission for recreation”
Wedderburn Park in Finaghy(Image: Google Maps)
A controversial plan for fencing around a pitch in a South Belfast park has been approved, despite local opposition.
Elected representatives at the Belfast City Council Planning Committee have agreed to an application by the council itself for works at the existing soccer pitches at Wedderburn Park Playing Fields, Belfast, BT10.
The works will involve the erection of a 2.4 metre high perimeter fencing around one existing soccer pitch and an internal 1.2 metre high spectator rail, as well as additional tree planting. The works are an attempt to enhance one of the pitches to the standard required for IFA intermediate football.
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It is an amended scheme from the initial proposal for high fences around two soccer pitches in the park. The playing fields are a council operated site with two grassed soccer pitches, within a larger area of open space.
The wider Wedderburn Park a bowling pavilion and clubhouse, gravel tennis courts, playground and car parking. The park is surrounded by residential developments.
The council received 262 representations, including 89 objections and 173 letters of support. Council officers recommended the application for approval.
Objectors raised concerns about the visual impact and the impact on the character of the area as well as the loss or reduction of open space. They also objected on grounds of the potential impact on public access and community use.
The council officer report states: “The structures are of a scale and character that would be reasonably expected at a sports pitch. 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 impact on the character of the area.
“The area of the pitch site to be fenced off represents approximately 10.5 percent of the overall park. An adequate provision of recreational and open space remains in the park that is accessible to the public, and can be used by the community.”
It adds: “The proposal does not result in a loss of open space. The proposal seeks to enhance the existing recreational use in terms of managing the pitch. The proposal retains the use as existing open space and supports the continued use as a pitch as per (policy).
“The principle of use is therefore acceptable. Fencing off the pitch will not negatively impact the availability of public open space to a great degree – approximately 89.5 percent of publicly accessible open space remains.”
At the June meeting of the council’s Planning Committee, Janice Dobbin of the Wedderburn Resident’s Association said: “This is a huge area to be taken out of commission for recreation, because the purpose of this new fenced pitch is to bring it up where a team can play up to a higher standard. It will only be used for roughly half a year as a result, pushing other games to a small area to the side of the pitch, which isn’t nearly enough to meet demand.”
She said: “As one commenter said (on the Planning Portal) “A public park should not be reconfigured to serve the operational needs of a select few organisations, at the expense of wider community benefit.”
Alliance Councillor Tara Brooks said: “I am discontent with the open space policy. To my mind, when you fence in a space, it is not open, it is by definition, closed.” She said she would not put the matter to a vote, but said she could not support the application.
DUP Alderman Dean McCullough said: “I appreciate there are legitimate concerns from residents. I understand there were two pitches (to be fenced) and that was reduced from two to one, so for me that shows a willingness to compromise and engage.
“It would be very disappointing not to progress local teams to intermediate. The standard is set, and it is not set by us. It is not like the fence will be erected for the sake of it, and it is not unusual compared to other parts of the city.”
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