Plan to upgrade Kinsale soccer club grounds disallowed due to negative impact on Charles Fort
Given the height of the proposed floodlights, An Coimisiún Pleanála said the change would be 'visually obtrusive and dominant' and would negatively impact on the 17th-century fortress which it described as 'a site of national significance'. File picture: Larry Cummins
A soccer club in Kinsale has suffered a major setback to its plans to develop facilities at its grounds after An Coimisiún Pleanála refused planning permission saying the changes would impact negatively on the historic Charles Fort.
Local residents successfully appealed the decision of Cork County Council to approve an upgrade to the playing pitch of Kinsale AFC together with the installation of floodlights, drainage and fencing at the club’s grounds at Madden Park in the town.
One objector claimed the proposed development was “tantamount to institutional vandalism of one of Ireland’s most valuable assets”. He claimed the changes sought by the soccer club would “damage the picturesque tourist town of Kinsale” and “sully the status of Tourism Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way".
In its ruling, An Coimisiún Pleanála said it had regard for the elevated location of the proposed all-weather facilities in a “high-value landscape” overlooking Charles Fort which adjoined a designated scenic route.
Kinsale AFC had sought planning approval for the conversion of its top pitch on council-owned lands from a grass to an all-weather playing surface as well as the installation of six 15.2m high floodlights and 1.2m high spectator fencing.
Given the height of the proposed floodlights, the commission said the change would be “visually obtrusive and dominant” and would negatively impact on the 17th-century fortress which it described as “a site of national significance”.
It observed that the proposed changes would run contrary to objectives of the Cork County Development Plan 2022-2028 which aim to safeguard national monuments and their setting.
The commission agreed with its own planning inspector that the floodlights would result in a negative impact on the monument’s historic setting. However, it said it did not accept the inspector’s recommendation to grant planning permission for the all-weather facilities.
The commission said it considered that Charles Fort is a highly sensitive area from a visual impact perspective and the type, height and extent of the proposed metal fencing enclosing the top pitch would fail to maintain the existing open character of the area.
It acknowledged that the height of the fencing was lower than the standard height. However, the commission concluded it would still impact “to an unacceptable degree” on the visual amenity of the nationally significant complex of buildings at Charles Fort and the surrounding high-value landscape.
Kinsale AFC claimed the visual impact of the proposed changes on the setting of Charles Fort had been mitigated through design and the use of LED lights to reduce spill and glare which would not be used when the fort was open.
The club said it had omitted security fencing which is typically 3.2m in height.
It outlined how it had developed the facility by rehabilitating the site of a former municipal dump which had also allowed a housing development that accommodated the homes of objectors to its plans. Kinsale AFC said it was seeking to upgrade its facilities in order to meet a community-driven need.
Cork County Council also told the commission that it fully defended its assessment of the planning application and decision to grant planning permission for the changes.
However, a number of locals expressed concern about the impact of the proposed changes on the integrity of a nationally significant monument as well as the impact of the floodlights on residential amenities.
They also claimed the council were conflicted as owners of the soccer club’s grounds. One objector claimed the floodlights would “deface the scenic and historic beauty” of Charles Fort as well as “disfigure the beauty of one of Ireland’s most natural harbours”.
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