Doolin National School has been given the green light for the construction of a new multi-use games area.
Approval has been granted by Clare County Council in spite of concerns raised about potential visual impairment of motorists arising from floodlights included in the development.
An application was submitted by the Board of Management of Doolin National School on March 25th of this year for the construction of a multi-use games area.
Also known as an MUGA, a multi-use games area is an outdoor area with built-in goal post units for various types of sports such as football, basketball or tennis.
As outlined in the application, the development would include associated site fencing, netting, artificial surface, four 10-metre high floodlighting poles, associated fitting and ancillary site development works.
Clare County Council’s Road Design Office has highlighted a number of concerns in relation to the development, including that the floodlights “may cause glare or visual impairment for motorists travelling north-west from the R478 towards the National School”.
On this matter, the Office recommends the applicant “demonstrate the level of light spread onto the adjoining property and the R479”.
Clare County Council’s Planning Department granted planning permission for the development on May 19th subject to four conditions.
Senior Executive Planner Garreth Ruane has stated all surface water generated within the site boundaries must be disposed of and must not flow into the wastewater treatment system or onto the public road.
Additionally, the flood lighting must only operate between the hours of 5pm and 9pm, and lux levels must be controlled to ensure there is no light spill onto the nearby road network.
