Bord Pleanála permission for sports facility in Taghmon

An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted planning permission for Crookedwood GAA’s planned new €2.3m sports development at Parsonstown, Taghmon, subject to a detailed list of conditions.

The club intend installing a sports hall containing a basketball and badminton court, a gym, kitchen and team changing rooms and showers. A match pitch, training pitch and astro-turf pitch with a hurling wall, a public walking track, storage depot for equipment and machinery, and 115 car park spaces are planned.

The decision, confirmed at a meeting of the board on 20 October, follows an inspector’s recommendation to approve the development, and affirmed the Westmeath County Council decision of May 27 granting permission.

The appeal had been lodged by Ciara Smith and Declan Smith, care of Andrew Hersey Planning of 3 Atlantic View, West End, Kilkee, County Clare and by Shelly and Warren Hodgkinson of Parsonstown, Knockdrin. In its decision, the board said the project was consistent with the County Development Plan 2021–2027.

Among the 17 conditions are for the developer to carry out the scheme in compliance with the plans lodged in April 2025, to agree materials and signage with the council in advance, and fund road safety measures, including a ‘ghost island’ junction and pedestrian crossing on the R394.

A mobility management plan is also required to encourage walking, cycling, car-pooling, and the use of minibuses.

Operating hours for the pitches and sports hall will be limited to 9am-10pm, and no bar facilities can be installed without a separate planning application. Lighting will also be restricted to the same hours, and all lighting fixtures must use low-energy LED technology.

A licensed archaeologist must carry out pre-development testing and prepare an archaeological impact assessment, and significant findings preserved or recorded in consultation with the National Monuments Service.