Dundalk Grammar School gets go ahead for sports and recreational development

An Bord Pleanála has given the go ahead for a new outdoor sports and recreational development, as well as a new ecological park, at Dundalk Grammar School, following an appeal against Louth County Council's decision to refuse planning permission for the development last year.

The Board of Governors Dundalk Grammar School had applied to Louth County Council in July 2024 for planning permission for an outdoor sports and recreational development, consisting of an all-weather multi-use playing pitch that encompasses an eight lane running track; a covered spectator stand with maximum capacity 700 persons; a stand-alone single storey changing rooms building; three padel-tennis courts; two multi-use games areas; and an outdoor gym. 

They also sought planning for an ecological park in the southern part of the site which adjoins but does not form part of Balmer’s Bog. The proposed ecological park incorporated a viewing deck /bird watching observation hide orientated towards Balmer’s Bog. Car parking, cycle parking and a bus set down area are also provided within the site. 

Access to the planned development was proposed via the existing access off Hill Street/Dublin Road (R132), immediately south of Byrne’s pub. It was also proposed to adjust the existing R132 road carriageway lane width to 3.1m along a c. 70 m section of Hill Street to the north of the proposed access and extend the existing cycle lane along the western edge of the R132 Dublin Road /Hill Street as far as the site entrance. 

Read also: ‘Explore our Foundations’ in Louth this National Heritage Week 2025

Louth County Council refused planning permission for the development last September on the grounds that the applicant "failed to demonstrate provision for an appropriate pedestrian/cycling route from the Grammar School to the development proposed or adequate provision for vehicular traffic and other road users from Hill Street/(Dublin Road R132) to the site that would not be prejudicial to the pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular traffic safety".

It also said that "the proposal to provide parking spaces for adjoining residences in proximity to the access from the R132, in the absence of provision for turning movements would likely result in conflicting traffic movements in the vicinity of this junction which would be prejudicial to the safety of all road users."

An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the development on 8 August, subject to 17 planning conditions. In its direction, An Bord Pleanála said that subject to the conditions it laid out, "the proposed development would constitute an acceptable use-type and scale of development at this location, would not result in any unacceptable flood risk, would not seriously injure the amenities of surrounding properties or detract from the character of the area, would not detract from ecological or archaeological value, would be adequately served by existing and proposed infrastructure, and would be acceptable in terms of pedestrian and traffic safety. It is considered that the proposed development would be compliant with the provisions of the Dundalk Local Area Plan 2025-2031 and the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".