A West Dublin football club is calling on Fingal County Council to re-think plans that would see it lose a pitch.
Corduff FC is unhappy with re-development plans that would turn one of the local green spaces into a wildflower garden and a footpath.
The club is calling on members of the public to submit objections.
As some of you may or may not have been aware of or seen plans for - there is to be a large re development of Corduff Park in the near future.
Thread 1/13 pic.twitter.com/YPldBtJigS
— Corduff FC (@CorduffFC) December 11, 2023
Impact
Director of Football, Daniel English, explains the impact losing the second pitch would have:
"It would stop us taking in more kids."
Daniel says Corduff FC currently has 450 children signed up as members currently.
"It wouldn't actually be possible, without the use of that pitch, to cater for all those kids."
He's worried it could put the club in a position where it has to release children, "and that's something you absolutely do not want to do."
'Corduff is a DEIS area, underprivileged - you need to be keeping these kids engaged during the week.'
⚽ @DanielmjEnglish joined Off The Ball Breakfast as development plans from Fingal County Council would mean one less pitch available to @CorduffFC. pic.twitter.com/koFVvbJ8ra
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) December 13, 2023
Community Benefit
The club has also pointed to the benefits to the community, by having hundreds of young people signed up to play football.
Daniel English says he believes anti-social behaviour in the area has dropped recently.
"You're never going to be able to keep all of the kids from going down certain roads, but you're doing a good job if you can keep 90/95% of them."
The club's Director of Football also says Corduff FC hasn't received any political support.
"No, there's been absolutely zero, and that's something I'm really disappointed about."
Daniel says local residents have issues with an aspect of the plan, at Edgewood Lawn, as well.
CORDUFF PARK IMPROVEMENT WORKS
Fingal County Council has launched a public consultation on the 9th November, relating to a Part XI planning application for Corduff Park Improvement Works, Blackcourt Rd., Dublin 15. The proposed improvement works include the extension and… pic.twitter.com/a0YLYfDNYE— Fingal County Council (@Fingalcoco) December 12, 2023
Consultation
Fingal County Council's consultation period is open for another week (December 21st) and can be accessed here.
Users need to create an account to submit views on the plans.
Submissions can also be made by post, the address instructions are laid out at this link.