Plans to develop a campervan park at Dundalk’s Navvy Bank are facing mounting opposition after more than 100 submissions were lodged with residents, sporting clubs and local councillors objecting to the proposals.
Earlier this year, Louth County Council unveiled proposals for an “urban recreational park” on the existing pitch and putt grounds on the Point Road. The plans include serviced campervan facilities, a children’s playground, family fun and mini-golf amenities, lighting, public toilets, electric vehicle charging points, landscaping and additional parking.
However, the public consultation process has sparked a significant backlash. 109 submissions were made to the local authority with many questioning whether the land should instead be reserved for community recreation and sporting facilities.
Among the most comprehensive objections was a joint submission from Sean O’Mahony’s GFC and Quay Celtic FC which outlined both clubs strong objection to the council’s plans for the site.
Both clubs said they are “already operating at or beyond capacity,” with Quay Celtic FC saying it has “regrettably had to turn children away” because of the shortage of available playing and training space.
“While we acknowledge the importance of tourism and recognise the need to provide facilities for visitors to County Louth, we firmly believe that this proposal represents an inappropriate use of one of the last remaining strategic parcels of land capable of delivering lasting community benefit.”
“In our view, the site should instead be preserved for the development of community sporting and recreational infrastructure that will serve local residents for generations.”
The submission detailed how both clubs provide sporting opportunities for hundreds of children and adults every week, saying that the surrounding area “has experienced substantial residential growth in recent years, with further housing developments continuing to increase demand for sporting and recreational facilities.”
The joint submission outlined how Sean O’Mahonys GFC “operates from a single landlocked pitch catering for male teams from under 5s to senior adult level.”
The club said that due to lack of space it is “forced to continuously rent external facilities, most notably the DKIT pitches, and due to “severe pitch congestion” it currently can’t offer Gaelic football to girls or women.
The clubs have called on Louth County Council to reconsider its plans for the site.
“Rather than dedicating this valuable public land to a seasonal tourism development, it should be reserved to address the existing and future recreational needs of the local community.”
Residents from across the Point Road and Quay area argued that locating a campervan park beside established housing estates would create additional traffic, noise and safety concerns in an already busy part of town.
Many of the submissions highlighted the potential environmental Impacts on Dundalk Bay as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the local ecological effects.
The Department of Heritage, Housing and Local Government warned in its submissions that the AA Screening Report conducted includes results of a bird survey of the development site area which was undertaken in May this year, “when few or no birds of the wintering populations of the SCI species for the Dundalk Bay SPA would be likely to be present.”
But a submission from the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment said there are “no envisaged impacts on the integrity of current County Geological Sites by the proposed development.”
Instead they highlighted “an excellent opportunity with a development like this to include the geological heritage offering of the development by the inclusion of the site within any promotional, educational literature and signage. The site can have a significant tourism offering under the umbrella of heritage and natural or slow tourism as well as a significant educational offering for local schools and interested parties.”
Several local councillors also lodged submissions.
Cllr Shane McGuinness objected to introducing overnight motorhome accommodation beside a residential neighbourhood, which he said would alter the character of the area.
He warned of increased noise, traffic movements and disturbance during evenings and early mornings and questioned how any potential anti-social behaviour would be managed.
“The proposed motorhome facility is located immediately adjacent to an established residential area,” he stated, adding that the prospect of anti-social behaviour represented a “high risk”.
Cllr. Sionnain McCann said she was “disappointed at the lack of consultation with the local community and relevant stakeholders in the Point Road and Quay area prior to the commencement of this statutory public consultation process.”
She argued that a preliminary design should not be developed “without meaningful engagement with the people and organisations who know and use the area every day.”
“Local residents, community groups, sporting organisations and other stakeholders should have been given an opportunity to contribute at an earlier stage, particularly given the longstanding community involvement in the Navvy Bank and wider Quay area.”
Cllr Robert Nash detailed in his submission that while he welcomed investment in the area and supported many elements of the proposed plans, “I cannot support any aspect of the development that would diminish the unique character, heritage, and recreational purpose of this important community asset.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme