Councillors in Dundrum will decide later today if they should give the go-ahead to a controversial plan for an all-weather soccer pitch in Deerpark in Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.
The Dundrum area committee is to vote on the 2007 culture, community development and amenities programme of work which includes the plan for the future of Deerpark, a prime green space in south Dublin.
The all-weather flood-lit soccer pitch is the most contentious part of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council's plan for the 33-acre park. Other elements of the plan include upgrading a tennis court building and replanting woodland.
Mount Merrion Youth Football Club wants to replace its current soccer pitch with this new facility. However, the Mount Merrion Residents Association had appealed planning permission granted to the club, saying the location was highly inappropriate for such a development. An Bord Pleanála ruled in favour of the development, against the advice of its inspector.
Last month, councillors heard a presentation from the Mount Merrion Youth Football Club on the merits of the plan while this evening they will hear a presentation opposing the plan before the meeting gets underway.
Residents association chairwoman Caitríona Lawlor said 90 per cent of local residents were opposed to the plan because it would "ruin" the historic park.
"This is a massive intensification of use," she said. "No one opposes soccer as currently played in the park. Our objections are to the fencing in and privatisation of a treasured space in the midst of densely populated suburbia."
Ian Clancy, chairman of the management committee of the football club, said the planned pitch had significant local support. The club had forwarded 650 letters of support to councillors while a petition had received 1,000 signatures. The club has more than 500 players aged four to 17.
Councillors on the Dundrum area committee (environment, culture, community development and amenities) must now make their recommendation to the county manager on the entire programme of works for this year. They have the power to approve certain parts of the programme and reject others.
