Residents urged to have their say on proposed National Football Centre which campaigners claim could change character of Galgorm area
Residents are being urged to have their say on plans to develop a National Football Centre in the Galgorm area before the public consultation period closes on Friday (May 15).
The proposed development, which has been submitted to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, would see the Irish Football Association (IFA) facility constructed on a 50-acre site near Galgorm and Cullybackey.
Plans include six pitches, stands, floodlights, changing, administration, catering and other associated football facilities.
Residents opposed to the plans say the scale of the proposed development could fundamentally alter the character of the rural area and are encouraging people to review the application and submit their views through the Northern Ireland Planning Portal before the deadline expires.
‘Right Facility, Wrong Location’ campaigners say concerns include the potential impact on traffic, noise, lighting, environmental issues and the broader transformation of the local landscape.
In a statement issued on Thursday (May 14), a spokesperson for residents said: “This is one of the most significant planning applications ever proposed for this area and it has the potential to permanently change the character of Galgorm and the surrounding countryside.
“Whatever people’s views on football, residents deserve the opportunity to fully consider what this development could mean for their community in the years ahead.
“There isn’t a lot of time left for people to make their voices heard. We would strongly encourage anyone with concerns about the scale, location or impact of this proposal to review the plans and submit their comments through the planning portal before it is too late.”
Residents wishing to comment on the application can do so via the Northern Ireland Planning Portal at: https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/709049
Further information is also available from Right Facility, Wrong Location: https://rightfacility-wronglocation.co.uk/
A design and access statement, submitted with the application to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, says the site will be on agricultural land beside Galgorm Resort, situated between Fenaghy Road, Cullybackey and the Belfast to Londonderry railway line.
“The scale and setting of the site can support a carefully designed, high-quality sports development that meets elite performance requirements while respecting the local environment,” it said.
The governing body for football in Northern Ireland is seeking to establish a “dual campus set-up” with its ‘Clearer Twist National Stadium’ at Windsor Park in Belfast.
The report to council explained: ”The ambition is that the National Football Centre will be a bespoke, world-class facility with a distinct Northern Ireland identity. It will serve players of all ages, both male and female players, across senior and youth levels, while also benefiting the local community and grassroots football.”