Two ball-stop systems at Existing soccer pitches at Clarendon Playing Fields (approx. 130m south-west of No. 5 Abbeydale Court), Abbeydale

“Proposal: Installation of 2 No. ball stop systems at 30m x 6m (high).”

“Location: Existing soccer pitches at Clarendon Playing Fields (approx. 130m south-west of No. Abbeydale Court), Abbeydale Gardens, Belfast. Referral Route: The application is made by Belfast City Council and on lands to which the Council has an estate (as per the Scheme of Delegation paragraph 3.8.5 (a) and (b))”

“The site is located at Clarendon playing fields, Somerdale Park, off the Crumlin Road, North Belfast. The playing fields are a Council operated site which offers sport pitches and associated parking. The site comprises of two soccer pitches and a 3G synthetic pitch. There are also several single-storey buildings located close to the site entrance. The topography of the site is broadly level with areas of trees outside the site boundary.”

“The proposed works are due to take place to the west and north of the site, which is isolated from the neighbouring properties to the east. The red line of the site is adjacent to the Forthriver / Wolfhill / Ligoniel Local Landscape Policy Area and the dBMAP policy designation for sites of local conservation importance (SLNCI), Upper Forth River. The site is situated within the development limit as designated under both versions of dBMAP (2004 & 2014).”

“LA04/2015/1356/F - Modular building for training facilities and associated services (Retrospective). Address: Clarendon Park (Playing Fields) Somerdale Park, Belfast, BT14 7HD. Decision Approval Date: 14/03/2017.”

“LA04/2021/2772/F - Upgrading of sports facilities to include construction of new clubhouse changing room block, new floodlighting, fencing and ball stops, 2 no spectator grandstands (206 persons per stand), 3G goalkeeper training area, dug-outs, turnstiles, associated maintenance infrastructure, landscaping, and parking facilities (revised description and additional info). Address: Clarendon Playing Fields, 29 Somerdale Park, Belfast BT14 7HD. Decision: Approval: 02/10/2023”

“Impact on Amenity The proposed ball stop net fencing is to the west/north end of both existing pitches. These structures are 6m in height and 30m in length. It is considered that the separation distance s to existing residential properties will assist in mitigating noise impacts. The proposed works are not overly different from the existing ball stop net fencing previously approved under planning application LA04/2021/2772/F.”

“The proposed ball stop net fencing is considered appropriate for the operation of both pitches. The design of these structures will result in limited visual impacts. Public views of the ball stop net fencing would largely be limited to near distance views from Somerdale Park Road. it is also considered that the existing trees around the site periphery would also filter views of structures and on balance, the proposal would not result in detrimental visual impacts.”

“Due to the minor nature of the application, consultations were deemed unnecessary.”

“She stated that, having regard to the Development Plan, relevant planning policies and other material considerations, it was recommended that the proposal be approved.”

“The Committee granted planning permission, subject to conditions and delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of the conditions and to deal with any other issues that might arise, provided that they were not substantive.”