Agenda and minutes

An apology was reported on behalf of CouncillorCorr.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 10th October, it had agreed to defer consideration of a report in respect of the establishment of a 3G pitch within the Cherryvale Playing Fields. That decision had been taken to enable the Committee to undertake a study visit to the facility on Saturday, 19th October, and to receive deputations at and a further special meeting on Tuesday, 5th November.

            Accordingly, the Committee considered the undernoted report in this regard:

“1       Relevant Background Information

           The Committee is reminded that at its meeting in October 2013 it received a report regarding proposals on pitch development at Cherryvale Playing Fields. Following representation from some residents and users of the playing fields expressing their objections and concerns to the proposal the Committee agreed to defer the report to allow for a site visit to the playing fields and to receive representation from groups affected by the proposals.  The groups invited include:

1.      Sports clubs who use the facilities;

2.      Residents from Knock Eden who live immediately adjacent to the playing fields; 

3.      Other users of the playing fields who are not affiliated to any of the sporting codes; and

4.      Those who are opposed to the installation of artificial turf pitch on the playing fields;

           Option 2 of that report (Proposed Agreed Option from Sporting Codes) reflects the optimal sporting solution given the land and financial parameters.  It enables a full size artificial turf floodlit pitch to be provided on the site which will enable all three sporting codes use of the facility. 

           There is opposition amongst some residents and users to the construction of an artificial floodlit pitch in the playing fields.  However, there is also a lobby which is in support of the investment on the site but opposed to its location as outlined in option 2. 

           Additional Option to locate artificial pitch on Pitch 1

           Following the most recent engagement some residents’ representatives have proposed as an alternative that an artificial turf pitch be located on Pitch No 1 which is immediately adjacent to the Ravenhill Road and which is currently a full size grassed turf GAA pitch.   

           Members are asked to note that whilst this may alleviate the concerns of some of the residents from Knock Eden, it may generate opposition from those living immediately facing the location, however, there has been no discussion with those residents about the proposal.  From a technical point of view, a full size synthetic pitch to meet the needs of GAA cannot be provided on Pitch 1 without removing the line of trees which are a feature of the park. 

           An undersized synthetic pitch could be fitted on this site but there is no real argument for development of a sub standard sports solution.   

           The provision of a synthetic pitch at Pitch 1 would also require the replacement of the grass GAA pitch on the site which is estimated to cost in the region of £300,000 for which there is no budget established within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.