Malin GAA secures planning permission for Connolly Park upgrades
The club’s plans will see existing floodlights replaced with energy-efficient LED lighting, alongside improvements to walking facilities around the main pitch.
Malin GAA has been granted planning permission for a significant upgrade of its lighting facilities at Connolly Park, along with the completion of a perimeter walkway around the club’s main pitch.
The planning application, submitted by Malin GAA Chairperson Patrick McLaughlin on behalf of the club, sought permission to install six 20-metre-high poles fitted with LED floodlighting to serve the main and training pitches.
The development will also involve the installation of associated ducting and cabling, the removal of the existing metal halide floodlighting system and the provision of the remaining sections of a perimeter walkway around the main pitch, complete with low-level lighting.
Documents submitted as part of the application outlined how the new LED floodlighting system would allow players to train and play safely while meeting current guidelines and recommended lighting levels for both football and hurling.
The club also highlighted the energy-efficiency benefits of the proposed system, with LED fittings capable of using up to three times less energy than the existing metal halide lights and lasting four to five times longer.
The six floodlighting poles will be positioned at an appropriate height on both sides of Connolly Park to ensure a more even distribution of light across the playing surfaces, helping to eliminate poorly illuminated areas that could negatively affect playing conditions.
The lighting system will also be designed to maximise illumination on the pitches while minimising light pollution, including glare, sky glow and light spilling beyond the club grounds.
As part of the development, Malin GAA will also complete the remaining sections of a perimeter walkway around the main pitch. Once finished, the walkway will provide a 0.56-kilometre circuit, offering an additional recreational facility for people wishing to walk at the grounds outside of training sessions and match days.
The walkway will incorporate low-level solar lighting, improving visibility for those using the facility.
The Planning Authority granted permission subject to seven conditions, including requirements relating to bicycle parking, external lighting, landscaping and signage.
The club must submit detailed proposals for the provision of 10 bicycle parking spaces within the grounds, with these details to be agreed in writing with the Planning Authority before development begins.
A detailed external lighting scheme must also be submitted for approval. This will have to demonstrate that the floodlights are appropriately positioned and shielded to prevent direct light spillage onto public roads and neighbouring residential properties to the south of the site, while also minimising potential impacts on surrounding ecological habitats.
The Planning Authority has also stipulated that appropriate measures must be incorporated to minimise disturbance to nocturnal wildlife, including bats. Details of operating hours and lighting controls, such as automatic timers and dimming facilities, must also be provided.
Other conditions require all electrical, ducted and cabled services to be installed underground, while existing healthy trees, shrubs and hedgerows must be retained, with any trees or shrubs that subsequently die to be replaced.
Malin GAA must also submit details of directional signage associated with the development for approval before work commences. No additional signage, advertising structures, security shutters, flagpoles or other projecting elements may be erected without further planning permission.