Planning permission has been refused for new sports facilities in Oughterard due to the pressure it would place on the local road.
Oughterard Sports & Recreational Partnership sought approval for a new grass multi-sport playing pitch on lands at the Pier Road, Lemonfield, along with other facilities.
The project would also involve the provision of flood lighting for the new pitch, and to the existing rugby pitch on the site.
Other facilities would have included goal posts and ball stop nets to all pitches, three multi-purpose hard surface ball courts, and an astroturf amenity area with fencing.
A facilities building with meeting rooms, toilets, showers, administration and ancillary facilities was also included in the plans, along with a 58 spaces of car parking.
The existing entrance was to be widened, and an internal access road created.
Multiple letters of support for the project were received, such as from Oughterard Angling Club and Lough Corrib Cruises, who both welcomed the extra parking potential, as well as Oughterard RFC, Discover Oughterard tourism committee, Clann Family Resource Centre, and the Scouts.
Galway County Council ultimately refused permission for the development, saying that it would “negatively impact on the free flow of traffic” on the local road.
This would be due to the “volume and type” of traffic expected, and the narrow width of the road, creating a safety hazard.
In additional information submitted by the application, the council had been asked to consider a split decision, which would allow work associated with the existing pitch, which would not create additional traffic.
