Masterplan needed for new playing pitches on Mayo site

A public consultation process is to be conducted by Mayo County Council once 30 acres of land at Knockaphunta, Castlebar, are transferred to the authority by the HSE, local elected representatives have been informed.

A section of the site is earmarked for an athletics track and a number of playing pitches while Castlebar Celtic FC has expressed an interest in developing two soccer grounds at the location.

Councillor Cyril Burke said local sports club in need of playing facilities should consider submitting expressions of interest to the council.

A debate at a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District heard of the urgent need for playing pitches for women's sports.

Iarla Moran, director of services, said the issue cannot be considered until the lands are legally transferred.

Councillor Burke stated the importance of getting different sports involved in order to access funding via national sporting bodies.

However Councillor Michael Kilcoyne expressed the view that the council should develop pitches and rent or lease them to clubs as they required them.

There was a consensus by elected members that different sports had different requirements when it came to playing areas.

Anne Sweeney, senior engineer, said a Part 8 planning permission will be required before any work can take place and this process involves public consultation in which all interested parties can make submissions.