Planning refused for €5m soccer complex near Tubber

Offaly County Council has refused planning permission for the development of a state-of-the-art centre of excellence to cater for underage soccer players from the Midlands Schoolboy/Girls League.

To be located on a 27-acre site in the townland of Curraghboy or Woodfield, between Clara and Tubber, news of the local authority's decision will be a blow to the Midlands Schoolboy/Girls League who purchased land for the proposed development in 2022.

Citing their reasons for refusing planning permission development, Offaly County Council said the proposed development "would be contrary to the Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027".

"The proposed development would set an undesirable precedent for similar unsustainable forms of development in the open countryside, would negatively impact on the rural character of the area and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".

The local authority also stated that the proposed development would "put an unnecessary burden on the local road network" and "endanger public safety by reason of a traffic hazard" based on the "projected traffic numbers associated with trainings, matches and tournaments".

The Midlands Schoolboy/girls League submitted a planning application in December for the proposed development of four playing pitches, two grass playing pitches and two pitches with a synthetic all-weather surface.

The planning application also proposed the construction of a "single-level facilities building", 865 sq m in size, which would incorporate an "entrance lobby, reception area, function room, meeting room, weight/training room, multi-purpose community room, eight changing rooms, medical/first aid room, shower and toilet facilities".

Externally, the plans sought the construction of 123 vehicle parking spaces in two on-site areas complete with a "dedicated coach/bus set down area".

With approximately 7,000 players participating in Midlands Schoolboy/girls League, the proposed development is designed to give players and coaches from Westmeath, Offaly, Laois, Roscommon and East Galway the best possible foundation for their footballing education and overall development both on and off the pitch.