Planning approval granted for new Offaly Camogie training facility

Offaly Camogie has been granted planning permission for a new training base in Crinkill.

The decision to give the project the green light was made by Offaly County Council on Monday, and is subject to seven conditions.

The facility is set to include a new grass camogie pitch, a ball wall, fencing and a new walking track including a maintenance road.

The new camogie pitch would be complete with a surrounding fence, two new dugouts, one new ball stop and floodlights.

The new walking track would be developed to the perimeter of the site, which is located to the rear (east) of the existing Crinkill GAA pitch and would be accessed by the existing entrance and car park on the Boherdeel Road, Ballinree.

Offaly Camogie agreed a 30-year lease on the land with Crinkill GAA, according to the planning documents, and a letter of consent was included with the application from Robert Parkinson, Chairman of Crinkill GAA club, giving full permission to seek planning approval to develop the dedicated training facility for camogie teams.

An Architectural Design Statement, which was lodged in support of the planning bid by Tullamore-based Kenny Lyons & Associates Architects, referred to Offaly's strong camogie tradition, saying this had created "a vibrant and growing community" that needed a base for the development of its teams.

"A great deal of effort by Offaly Camogie has gone into locating and securing a viable piece of land," said the Architectural Design Statement.

"The intention is that this facility could be used by the wider community as well as Offaly Camogie teams and is accessible for games development."

The application stated that, while the primary objective was to create a dedicated Offaly Camogie training facility, the project would also facilitate wider community uses through the recreational facilities, such as the walking track and ball wall that are to be provided.

The main entrance to the facility will be through the existing Crinkill GAA entrance to the pitch and a proposed new maintenance road and turning area is to run along the northern boundary, using an existing field entrance.

The applicant also stated that the greenfield site was "well suited" for the development of the new facility due to its location on the site of the existing GAA grounds and in close proximity to Crinkill and Birr town.