The council has agreed that “essential works” to improve Dundrum Playing Fields should be carried out. At its monthly meeting on Tuesday, 5 May, the local authority ratified a committee decision, which had been reached in closed session, to approve a business case and budget for the works at the Old Road facility, and to tender for a contractor.
Early last year, the local authority submitted a planning application for the installation of a grid network of perforated pipes at the village location. Drawings illustrate that these would be placed under the pitch adjacent to the facility’s pavilion, and an attached report stated that this would cost approximately £198,000.
The document, authored by JKB Consulting Engineers in 2023, noted that they had been tasked with providing “a preliminary options appraisal to improve the drainage to the existing pitches, in order to reduce waterlogging and allow the pitches to be more useable”. It pointed out that they are “low lying and would be subject to coastal flooding during a one-in-200-year coastal flood event”.
“In addition, during tidal cycles, unless the primary drainage is able to discharge freely, this could potentially impact the pitch,” the document continued. “As a result, it is likely that inadequate primary drainage is likely to be the primary cause of issues relating to the useability of the pitches.”
The report explained that a new primary drainage system would consist of “a series of lateral drains installed across the pitch, connecting to a main pipe that carries the water to the outfall”. A planning decision has not yet been made on the February 2025 application.
Speaking at last Monday’s meeting, Slieve Croob councillor Alan Lewis (DUP) asked that council officers “meet with the teams that use the Old Road pitches in Dundrum, prior to any upgrade works taking place there, to make sure that they are kept up to date”. Active and Healthy Communities director Andrew Patterson responded that he would arrange for this to happen.
In a statement, South Down MLA Cathy Mason (Sinn Féin) described the council decision as “very welcome progress for Dundrum and the many local clubs, schools and families who rely on these facilities throughout the year”.
“I welcome the decision to allocate funding towards essential works to the soccer pitch, which has been unplayable for significant periods due to poor drainage and surface conditions,” she said. “These works, including drainage and levelling improvements, are vital to address health and safety concerns and restore the pitch to a safe and playable standard for everyone who uses it.
“Sport and recreational facilities are at the heart of our communities. Ensuring pitches are safe, accessible and fit for purpose is essential not only for local clubs and schools, but also for supporting health, wellbeing and community participation. Sinn Féin will continue working to secure investment in local facilities and ensure communities like Dundrum receive the support they deserve.”
