‘Bird-friendly’ ball-stop fences approved for pitch adjacent to St Ronan's College in Lurgan
Planning permission has been granted for the erection of four additional ball-stop fences at a Gaelic football pitch adjacent to St. Ronan’s College in Lurgan.
The planning application for the new provision at 12 Cornakinnegar Road was lodged by Carlin Planning Ltd, Belfast, on behalf of the Dromore Diocesan Education Trust, Newry.
The ball-stop fences will be 30 metres long and 12 metres high. They will be finished with fine mesh, and high-tension net to minimise bird entanglement.
The nets will also be retractable, to reduce the impact on birds during non-use times.
ABC Planning officers noted the following in their report: “This existing area of open space will be retained and enhanced through the upgrade to a 3G pitch, floodlighting, ball-stop nets, perimeter fencing, and dug outs.
“Given the nature of the existing site, the existing pitch and perimeter fencing, officers do not consider that the proposal will be obtrusive or incongruous in the townscape.
“The design of the ball stops is typical for this type of school facility, and is considered to be acceptable, given the nature of the site and the existing use as pitches associated with a secondary school.
“The purpose of this proposed additional ball-stop fencing is to enhance safety for spectators and nearby properties, reduce retrieval times during games, and maintain the overall condition of the pitch by preventing excessive wear on the surrounding environment, by minimising the need for users to frequently enter/exit the pitch to retrieve balls.
“This helps maintain the overall condition of the pitch, and reduces damage to the surrounding environment.
“Officers are satisfied, given the separation distances and the proposed materials, that the proposed ball stop will not have an unacceptable impact on adjacent residential properties.
“The facility will be used for school children during school hours.”