Pitches will be fenced in council parks in the north, east, south and west of the city
Fencing has been approved around pitches across Belfast, which may raise the game of teams using the spaces.
Elected representatives at the Belfast City Council Planning Committee this week unanimously approved ballstop fencing around pitches at Falls Park, Woodland Playing Fields, Dixon Playing Fields and Clarendon Playing Fields. All are council owned sites.
Planning permission will be allowed for spectator fencing around an existing Falls Park soccer pitch with two ballstop systems measuring 20 metres in length and 6 metres in height.
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The planning officer’s report states: “The proposal complies with (policy) in that the fencing and ballstops will not cause an unacceptable impact on the amenities of people living nearby.
“The proposal is incidental to an existing use within an area of open space and will have no adverse effect on the sporting potential of the facility. The proposal will assist with the overall functioning and recreational use of the sports grounds.”
Planning permission will also be allowed for seven fences measuring 30 metres in length by 12 metres height at six GAA pitches at Woodlands Playing Fields, Finaghy Road North.
The officer report states: “The proposal is incidental to an existing use within an area of open space and will have no adverse effect on the sporting potential of the facility; it will assist with the overall functioning and recreational use of the sports grounds.”
Planning permission will be granted for the installation of one 30 metre (width) by six metre (height) ball stop fence at a soccer pitch at Dixon Playing Fields, off Grand Parade, East Belfast. The proposed works are due to take place to the east of the existing soccer playing field.
There will all be an installation of two ball stop fence systems of 30 metres by six metres at the existing soccer pitches at Clarendon Playing Fields, Abbeydale Gardens, North Belfast.
The planning report states: “The proposed ball stop net fencing is considered appropriate for the operation of both pitches. The design of these structures will result in limited visual impacts. Public views of the ball stop net fencing would largely be limited to near distance views from Somerdale Park Road.”
At the Planning Committee, after questions posed by elected representatives regarding the potential for closing off open space, Sinn Féin Councillor Caoimhín Mc Cann said: “For the benefit of members who aren’t familiar with this, once you get to a certain level in football, at intermediate, just past amateur, certain requirements come from the IFA. That is fencing around pitches, and access to changing rooms directly onto the pitch.
“If that is not done by the council then teams cannot move on to that next level.”
He added: “Dog walkers and people walking on pitches is the biggest hassle ever, especially dog waste, which is a serious issue.”
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