Waterford LGFA’s ‘Field of Dreams’ has been shrouded with a cloud of doubt as members of the development group claim that Waterford Council intend to dezone nearby lands at Duckspool which were deemed critical to funding for the grounds.
Planning permission was granted in November for the construction of 218 houses as part of a strategic housing development on lands adjacent to St. Augustine’s College and Scoil Garbháin.
A challenge against the proposed 218-home strategic housing development at Duckspool had since been set to go forward to the High Court. The plans for the Duckspool area had been given the green light by An Bórd Pleanála, despite a wealth of objections and a recommendation of refusal of the strategic housing development by Waterford City & County Council.
The applicant for the plan is KPMG Future Analytics, who submitted the development with the planning board on behalf of Mr. Michael Ryan, on the 7th of July last year.
The proposal outlined an ambition to construct 176 houses, 42 apartments, with some of the buildings potentially four stories high, a crèche and associated site works in fields across from the aforementioned schools.
At the forefront of the concerns from residents was the ecological impact that any proposed development may have. The fields in question are known to flood in inclement weather conditions, while they are also home to various animal species, with 1% of Ireland’s Brent geese population known to frequent the lands each year.
In a press release issued this week, it was claimed that a ‘massive blow’ has been dealt to the plans for the ladies’ football field, as the Council ‘plans to dezone lands which have already received planning permission for much-needed housing’.
An announcement came last year which stated that Waterford LGFA would become the first ladies’ county football team in the country to own their grounds outright.
Ground works have already commenced on a 16-acre site in Ballinroad, which was proposed to contain an eight lane international standard running track, a hockey pitch with a spectator stand, an underage pitch, club house, changing rooms, an ancillary car park, two all-weather basketball courts and two five-a-side pitches.
The statement criticised what the members claim to be a ‘short-sighted’ and ‘bizarre’ potential decision by Waterford City & County Council.
The intention of the developer was that the sports facility would have been funded by the sale of the development lands for the 218 home development at Duckspool. The profit was intended to be split with 70% going to the Waterford LGFA and the other 30% heading to the Kilrossanty GAA Club.
An information meeting will be held this evening, Wednesday 23rd March, at the Creamery Yard, the Old Bank, Dungarvan at 7.30pm, with all welcome to attend.
It is the request of the Waterford LGFA Chairman, John Frewen, that a minimum of 4 representatives from all 23 county LGFA clubs are in attendance.
In a statement issued to WLR, Waterford City and County Council say they are not in a position to comment on this particular case as it is going through the statutory process.
