Protected bat may scuttle plans for all-weather pitch

Plans for a full-sized all-weather floodlit pitch at Dangan Sportsgrounds in Galway City could be rejected – because of a protected species of bat.

NUI Galway had sought permission for the development to the front of the sports pavilion building on what is already a floodlit training pitch.

It would cater for a variety of sports and accommodate one rugby or GAA pitch, or two soccer pitches. The overall length of the pitch would be 155 metres x 115 metres.

However, planners have expressed concerns about the impact the development would have on the bat population around the site.

A survey undertaken in 2013 as part of the application found evidence of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat – a species protected by Irish and European legislation.

The Council has now sought clarification on whether the planning application adequately assessed the impact of the development on the bat population.

“The applicant is requested to address the concerns of the cumulative effect of the lighting, additional noise from users, the high fencing proposed and high lighting columns on the protected species.

“The applicant is also requested to address how the loss of an open grassed area can affect protected species in that it will remove some food source i.e. insects which populate natural grassed areas,” planners said.

They have also sought details on proposed hours of operation of the pitches and floodlights, and if it would be possible to lower the height of the lighting columns from 20 metres to 18 metres.

Read more in this week’s Connacht Sentinel