Decision deferred on Dunfanaghy pitch as Council seeks further info

A DECISION on planning permission for a proposed development of a new facility for a football club in Dunfaghy has been deferred.

Donegal County Council has sought a number of additional items of documentation from Dunfanaghy Youths FC relating to their proposed development at Lurgabrack, Dunfanaghy.

A decision on the application had been due to be made by the local authority this week.

However, the Council wrote to the club at the end of the week with a request for further clarification on a number of items relating to the application. Consideration of the application has been deferred as a result.

Among the nine items of information and documents required by the Council include: an assessment of the landscape character; an ecological report; reports regarding waste material; a survey regarding trees/vegetation to be removed as part of the development; a landscaping plan; revised plans to provide for pedestrian access, car park.

The proposed development of Dunfanaghy Youths FC

The Council has also sought clarification regarding the finishing colours of the spectator stand and clubhouse and have asked for a revised plan to include the provision of an additional means of a fire escape from the meeting room/canteen area.

The proposed development, on a 1.52 hectare site at Lurgabrack, hit the headlines last month when Donegal Daily exclusively revealed that former Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill was among those to lodge objections to the plans.

O’Neill, a resident in London, owns the derelict Horn Head House, near to the site Dunfanaghy Youths hope to develop into a new home.

Martin O’Neill during his time as the Republic of Ireland manager

The two-time European Cup winner, originally from Kilrea in County Derry, outline environmental and safety concerns.

However, a planning submission containing over 120 signatures was subsequently lodged with Donegal County Council in support of the club’s plans.

Dunfanaghy Youths FC has been homeless since the summer of 2019, when they had to vacate a pitch at Kill, Dunfanaghy.

Club official Danny Ferry told Donegal Daily recently that a rejection of permission for this development would sound the death knell for the club.

Horn Head House, owned by Martin O’Neill and his wife, Geraldine. Pic: www.buildingsofireland.ie

“We have exhausted all the possible options at this stage. If this is unsuccessful the club would go to the wall,” he said.

Dunfanaghy Youths had around 130 registered players in 2019. They won the Donegal Youth League and the John Gorey Curran Cup during 2018

The proposed development is to consist of a playing pitch, a training pitch, spectator stand, clubhouse and associated facilities.

Dunfanaghy Youths celebrate winning the Donegal Youth League in 2018