Rugby club plans refused

PLANS for a long-awaited, €1.5 million development by Killarney Rugby Club have been turned down by Kerry County Council, but an appeal may be lodged with An Bord Pleanála.

The club, which must soon leave the grounds it has been leasing from the HSE at Ballydribeen, Killarney, last year purchased land for a new headquarters in the Kilcummin area, four kilometres from the town.

However, the council has refused planning because of concerns over percolation, the closeness of the property to an area of archaeological interest and issues over road sight lines.

The club’s plans for the Kilcummin site included a sports hall as well as three pitches, one of which was to be all-weather, as well as flood lighting and parking.

Club chairman Liam McGuire yesterday said they were now looking at several options, including the possibility of appealing to An Bord Pleanála.

Mr McGuire hoped they would be able to address the reasons given by the council for refusing the application.

“Also, it’s significant there have been no local objections and the reaction in the Kilcummin area to our plans has been very positive,” he said.

The club has been leasing grounds from the HSE since 1993, but must leave the land in August.

The plan was to develop the Kilcummin site over four years and a major fundraising campaign was launched last August.