Tullamore Town FC facilities expansion approved

Tullamore Town Football Club has been granted planning permission for an expansion of its existing facilities at Leah Victoria Park.

Offaly County Council rubber-stamped a planning bid lodged by the club for the proposed development, which includes the extension of the existing astro turf pitch with associated floodlights, the laying of a new astro turf surface on pitch two with associated floodlights, an extension of pitch three with associated floodlights, and an illuminated walking track on the perimeter of the proposed development.

The local authority granted approval for the facilities works subject to eight conditions, one of which was that, when operational, "floodlighting levels shall not cause excessive glare or distraction to road users or adjoining property owners," with certain measures recommended by the council to avoid such an occurrence.

The local authority also stipulated that floodlights should not be operational after 10pm daily, "in the interest of traffic safety".

At the time of the planning submission in July, the club said the developments were necessary in order to meet the current and future needs of its members.

Planning consultants acting on behalf of Tullamore Town FC said the extension of the existing astro turf pitch with associated floodlights was required as the "current pitch is too narrow and is utilised for training purposes".

It was added that the laying of a new astro surface on pitch two at Leah Victoria Park, with associated floodlights, was necessary as the club "does not have a full-size all-weather pitch to play games on in inclement weather".

The club's planning application stated that the development of an illuminated walking track along the perimeter would allow "parents of club members and guests to avail of a safe environment for walking/jogging during the club's operational hours".

Tullamore Town caters for underage teams in the Midlands Schoolboys/Girls League, while the club's men's and women's senior teams compete in the Leinster Senior League and Combined Counties Football League respectively.

The club relocated from Terry Adams Park in Puttaghaun to its current base in the Axis Business Park, on the outskirts of Tullamore, in 2007.