A PLANNING application for upgrading Donard Park’s all-weather pitch has been lodged.
Having previously submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) – required at least 12 weeks in advance of plans deemed to be major or regionally significant – earlier this year, the council’s Capital Projects Team has now followed this up with the submission of a full application for converting the surface of the Newcastle facility’s 2G pitch to 3G.
The proposal also includes provision of ‘covered seating (for 200 spectators), sheltered dugouts, new perimeter and ball stop fencing, replacement floodlighting, cycle parking, new pitch drainage system and realigned path from existing pavilion to the pitch’.
A planning statement, attached to the application, notes that ‘the existing 2G pitch has been in use for 15 years and is now in need of upgrading’, and that ‘various elements have reached the end of their shelf life’.
It adds that the playing surface needs ‘replaced with a more modern equivalent 3G carpet and shock pad’, that ‘the permeability of the asphalt base layer also lasts for about 15 years before it gets clogged’, and that it is ‘evident that the pitch is very poorly drained during heavy rain’.
The dimensions of the upgraded pitch will be increased to ‘comply with FA/FIFA guidelines (adult size)’, though this will have the knock-on effect of the park’s grass pitch having to be reduced in size.
It is stated that the existing boundary fencing ‘doesn’t meet current design standards for height or resistance to ball strikes’, and that its replacement is required.
The spectator seating will consist of two ‘covered modular grandstands with capacity of 100 spectators each’.
The document says that the development represents ‘a major investment in community facilities that will provide a modern and fit for purpose sports facility for all members of the public, sports clubs and visitors alike’.
It also highlights that funding for the redevelopment has been sourced from the Irish Football Association (IFA) and Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) – in January, the IFA confirmed that half the project’s total cost (£192,286 of £384,572) was being allocated from the Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund it administers on behalf of DCMS – the Department of Education and the council.
The statement confirms that, in relation to the application for IFA/DCMS funding, memorandums of understanding were drawn up between the council and several end user groups in April/May 2023.
This included Bryansford GAC, Tollymore United FC, Dundrum United FC, Shimna Integrated College and Newcastle FC.
Tollymore United and Newcastle FC recently merged to form Newcastle Town and are set to field three teams in local leagues – one in the Amateur League and two in various levels of the Newcastle League.
It is stated within the document that, as the applicant, the council’s role is to ‘lead and deliver on the full construction plan for the site’.
‘The new pitch will underpin the mission statement of the council’s Corporate Plan 2024-2027 “to deliver sustainable services and empower our communities through transparent governance and collaboration”,’ it adds.
‘The plan also specifies key objectives of particular relevance to the pitch upgrade at Donard Park to continue to implement the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) Sports Facilities Strategy.
‘Key objectives of this strategy that are applicable to this redevelopment are as follows: to identify the existing range of facilities provided at a local level in Newry, Mourne and Down; to undertake consultation with strategic stakeholders to identify current and future facility needs and locations; to undertake a supply and demand assessment to identify gaps in current provision plus future needs; to develop a facility framework reflecting identified current and future community needs; and to recommend priority investment(s) in sports facility provision in Newry, Mourne and Down.’
As part of the PAN process, an online consultation ran for two weeks in February/March and a public consultation event was held in the Newcastle Centre on 7 March.
A separate report on this details that a total of 431 people ‘interacted with the community consultation exercise’, and that 50 written responses were submitted via a feedback form.
Of these, only 15 ‘raised specific questions and concerns’ about the project.
The planning statement says that ‘the comments have been taken on board by the design team and have contributed to the evolution of the final design’.
It also highlights that, as part of the consultation process, the council received letters of support from Downpatrick Youth Football League, Newcastle ADHD Hub, Kilcoo Camogie and SANDSA (Sports Association Newry, Down and South Armagh).
‘NMDDC Outdoor Leisure team will continue to liaise with sports clubs, local schools and other stakeholders in relation to usage plans for opening and putting in place service level agreements,’ the document adds.
Concluding, the statement says that the redevelopment ‘represents a significant public investment in the town and the wider area’.
‘The development delivers significant environmental, health and wellbeing benefits in the creation of a modern fit for purpose community facility on an existing recreational space,’ it reads.
‘The proposal will bring with it economic, physical and social benefits.’
Caption:
Plans to upgrade Donard Park’s artificial pitch have been submitted by the council.
