Plans for a new synthetic hockey pitch at Dalriada School, in Ballymoney, have been accepted by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
The pitch, which will replace an existing hockey pitch at the same location of the school, has proposed hours of use between 9.30am and 9pm from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 7pm on Saturdays with no use on Sundays.
The new plans to replace the existing pitch with a “new synthetic pitch with perimeter fencing and floodlighting” at the school on St James Road were accepted late last year, following an initial application in June 2022.
Site location plan for new synthetic hockey pitch at Dalriada School
A site visit report by Development Management Officers stated that the site was “located to the immediate south of two existing rugby pitches and is currently laid out hardstanding as an all-weather pitch for athletics”.
The report continued: “The site is immediately adjacent a historic garden, park and demesne which comprises extensive woodland along the southern and western site boundaries, some of which is identified as ancient, semi-natural woodland.”
The report also stated the immediate surroundings of the site contained residential areas, but was “dominated by Dalriada School, Ballymoney Integrated Primary School and Ballymoney Nursery School”.
The site also lies immediately adjacent a historic park, garden and demesne which also incorporates part of the extensive woodland, and a number of archaeological sites fall within the wider area, but the “proposal lies outside the identified consultation areas of these sites”.
In conclusion, the report said: “The proposed use remains unchanged as it seeks to redevelop the existing all-weather pitch to provide a synthetic hockey pitch with ancillary perimeter fencing. As such the proposal is in compliance with policy and the Northern Area Plan.”