Tinnelly: Kilbroney Playing Field Upgrade Delays 'Just Don't Stack Up'

A Co Down public representative has called for councillors to “interrogate” a long term delayed planning application for playing field upgrades.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) has had plans for GAA and soccer pitch designs at Kilbroney Park, including the location of a changing room pavilion, since December 2020. A planning application was submitted on 30 April 2021.

The south Down playing fields have been used by local clubs for almost 30 years with St Bronagh’s GAC and Rossowen FC making regular use of the facilities despite a lack of changing room facilities. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reached out to the clubs for comment.

Crotlieve Councillor Jarlath Tinnelly said:”When you look at all the information available on the designs and what needs to be done for the pitch upgrades, to me the delays on this just don’t stack up.”

The Kilbroney plans were amended in April 2024, after a letter from the council’s planning department highlighted possible impacts on a popular tourist trail known as ‘The Fairy Glen’.

At that point, the changing pavilion construction was removed from the application.

However, a recent letter of support (by a member of the public) on the NI Planning Portal, seen by the LDRS has highlighted the need for changing rooms with players having to “change in a wet and dirty ditch…following torrential rainfall”.

Cllr Tinnelly added: “This is an area that is used for both soccer and GAA in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains.

“Now, four years after a planning application was submitted to upgrade the existing playing pitches at Kilbroney Park the two clubs have been left scratching their heads over what is happening.

“The upgrades to the pitches would be very welcome by the whole community and be a very much deserved improvement for the local youth. At the moment there is a generation missing out on what could be a fantastic facility.”

Further potential issues over the pitch upgrades have been highlighted following a visual impact report by the council’s integrated consultancy team, ‘Tetra Tech’.

The same company was appointed in March 2024 by NMDDC to help deliver the long awaited Newry City Park at Albert Basin. A planning application for the 15-acre park was  submitted earlier this month with the local authority expecting completion of the  site by 2027.

The independent member said:”I remain of the view that the visual impact from any surrounding observation point is minimal at best and certainly not something that any objective observer could regard as a project deal breaker.

“As per the Tetra Tech visual impact report, the only part of the new development that can be seen from the main park ( designated Demesne ) is the top of the ball stop fencing, which obviously comes in a variety of colours that can camouflage it against the background of the trees.

“Should the council planners continue to dispute visual assessments, I ask them to bring the report and recommendation forward to the planning committee at the earliest opportunity and let the elected members interrogate the presentation.”

After the plans were initially submitted, the council area of Mourne Gullion and Strangford has since been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark (May 2023) which includes the south Down Kilbroney Park area. The council has denied the international status has played a part in any delay.

A NMDDC spokesperson said:”A planning application for the development of sports pitches at Kilbroney Forest Park is currently being considered as part of the planning process.

“UNESCO Global Geopark Status has no bearing on the planning process or on a final planning decision on the scheme.”