Mid Ulster District Council’s planning committee has backed plans that will see a Co Derry Gaelic club’s hall and gym demolished to make way for a new health and wellbeing centre.
Lodged by The Boyd Partnership on behalf of applicant Robert Emmets GAC, Slaughtneil, the application seeks permission to demolish a hall and gym and build a new community health and well-being centre and a new covered multi-purpose space (4G pitch) at the club’s grounds at 18 Halfgayne Road, Maghera.
As part of this application permission has also been secured for ancillary accommodation which will include a new gym and fitness suite, community social spaces, multi-purpose rooms, kitchen/servery and ancillary stores.
Read more: Derry Walls' historic cannons to get a facelift for the summer
External work will also see the provision of a new GAA compliant grass pitch with floodlighting and ball net stops, a single storey outbuilding for toilets/plant and machinery storage, a new terrace hard standing area for spectator viewing, new walking trails and the reconfiguration of on-site parking a with a new vehicular access and associated landscape/boundary works.
A report compiled by Council’s planners and presented to members of the committee notes no objections or third party representations were received during the assessment of the application.
With no concerns from statutory agencies, the report recommends approval “based on examination of the site, submitted plans and consultations responses” determining that the proposal is in keeping with prevailing planning policy.
A design and access statement submitted as part of the application notes the 6.83 hectare site is located 4.5km north-west of Maghera town centre and is currently in use as playing pitches with associated club house, changing rooms, gym and hall buildings with existing on-site parking.
The statement explains the proposal has been “developed to respect surrounding context regarding scale and materiality” and claims “the proposed community building will provide new and enhanced leisure and community facilities”.
“The proposed enhancement of existing uses has been designed to support the local population and enhance access to amenity and leisure facilities and provides opportunities for community health and education programmes,” reads the statement.
“The site layout has been designed to take account of the adjacent land uses and minimise any potential impact on the amenity within the scheme.
“There are no industrial or business uses proposed which would have a detrimental impact on the neighbouring land uses in terms of health and well-being or amenity issues.”
With approval recommended by Council’s planners, a proposal to approve the planning application in line with planners’ recommendation was put forward by Councillor Donal McPeake and seconded by Councillor Christine McFlynn.
To get the latest breaking news from Co Derry straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
