Southern Gaels' bid for new home on hold

A bid by Southern Gaels Hurling and Camogie Club for a new home at Knockanea, Ballydonagh, has been put on hold by Westmeath County Council.

The local authority has written to the GAA club requesting further information on the proposed development on a greenfield site of almost 13 acres close to exits 8 and 7 of the M6 motorway.

The club has proposed the development of a new playing pitch with floodlights, two goal ball stops, perimeter pitch netting, two dugouts and a groundskeeper's shed on the site, but Westmeath County Council is seeking clarity on a number of issues.

Planning permission was initially granted by Westmeath County Council for a development on the site in July 2025, but was refused by An Coimisiún Pleanála on foot of an appeal by David Bracken, care of Liam Madden of Convent Road, Longford. A new planning application was lodged in July.

Citing its reasons for requesting additional information, the local authority stated that the planning issues which led to the refusal of permission by An Coimisiun Pleanala "have not been satisfactorily addressed by the current application".

"The documentation submitted does not adequately demonstrate that the circumstances of the proposed development have materially changed, nor does it provide sufficient evidence to overcome the concerns identified by the Commission," the local authority said in its written letter to the GAA club.

The local authority has called on Southern Gaels Hurling and Camogie Club to provide a "comprehensive assessment of alternative sites within Athlone and on lands zoned for open space, sport and recreation to be submitted".

Westmeath County Council said such an assessment of alternative sites should "include details of all sites considered, the reasons for their exclusion and supporting evidence, where available".

The club has been requested to provide details of its membership profile including "total membership numbers, geographic catchment areas served by the club, proportion of members residing in Athlone and within the surrounding rural area".

This, the local authority said, is to determine whether the proposed development is "intended to serve an identified rural need or is primarily directed towards the population of Athlone town".

The GAA club has been advised to contact the District Engineer and submit consent from "all parties with ownership concerned, of a right-of-way ensuring a right of access to the proposed development site utilising this private roadway" which terminates at the R446 (the old Dublin Road from Athlone to Moate), as "this roadway is not in the charge of the local authority and therefore not a public roadway".

Southern Gaels has also been requested to "take cognisance of the third party submissions received" and "is invited to address matters raised".

An appropriate assessment screening report, natura impact statement, floor risk assessment and an ecological impact assessment has also been requested by the local authority before a final determination is made by the council.