Renewed bid for football centre of excellence plan near Clara

The Midlands Schoolboy/Girls League has signalled its intention to pursue the development of a state-of-the-art centre of excellence on an eleven-hectare site in the townland of Curraghboy or Woodfield, between Clara and Tubber.

It is the second such occasion that the league, which caters for underage footballers from Offaly, Westmeath, Laois and East Galway, will submit a planning application to Offaly County Council for the proposed development of four playing pitches, two grass playing pitches and two pitches with a synthetic all-weather surface.

In February of this year, a planning application submitted by the Midlands Schoolboy/girls league, was refused by the local authority as the proposed development "would be contrary to the Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027".

At the time of refusal, the local authority said "the proposed development would set an undesirable precedent for similar unsustainable forms of development in the open countryside" and "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 planning application also proposes 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 propose the construction of 123 vehicle parking spaces in two on-site areas complete with a "dedicated coach/bus set down area".

Speaking in the aftermath of the Council's decision, Midlands Schoolboys/Girls League secretary, Derek Collins said that the reasons provided by the local authority for refusing permission to allow the proposed development to proceed were "weak".

He also cited the difficulty of purchasing "18-20 acres of land in a town for this kind of development".

"We would love common sense to prevail to allow this badly-needed centre of excellence for all our underage players to come to fruition. It's the next step of progression for our league," Mr Collins added at the time.

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