Green Light for Astro Turf and Walking Track in Offaly

Clara Town Football Club has received the go-ahead to install a new astro turf pitch and walking track at Lissanisky, Clara, Co. Offaly.

The approved development includes the installation of a 1.2-metre-high galvanised fence, an LED floodlight system serving both the pitch and the walking track, and all associated site works and drainage.

Offaly County Councillor Frank Moran supported the application and, in a submission to the council, urged planning authorities to grant permission saying, “It will benefit the town of Clara and its environs.”

Planning permission was granted with ten conditions attached. Among them, the use of floodlights is restricted to before 21:30 each evening, a measure aimed at maintaining traffic safety and protecting nearby residential amenity.

Landscaping conditions require the retention and maintenance of existing hedgerows and trees along the site boundaries. Any unplanted site edges must be planted with a continuous deciduous hedge made up of native species, interspersed with broadleaved deciduous trees. These provisions are intended to preserve the visual amenity and help integrate the facility into the surrounding landscape.

Noise levels must be kept within set limits, and measures must be taken to prevent the spread of clay, dust, rubble or debris, whether from construction vehicles or otherwise, onto nearby roads and footpaths during the works.

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Any damage to public infrastructure, including roads and footpaths, must be repaired to the satisfaction of the District Engineer. Should materials from the site begin to contaminate the public road network, the developer will be required to address the issue immediately and to the standard required by the local authority.