Soccer club faces loss of pitch built on sand dunes

A Kerry soccer club is facing the loss of its playing ground after building a pitch on a sand dune without planning permission.

Ballyheigue Athletic may have to seek an alternative home as Kerry County Council is expected to require the club to return the pitch to its former status as part of the sand dune system of the north Kerry village.

It follows the club’s unsuccessful appeal to Bord Pleanála against the decision of Kerry County Council to refuse it permission to retain its soccer pitch at Buncurrig as well as permission for a container to be used as changing rooms.