Galway GAA awaits planning decision on Pearse Stadium floodlights

A second GAA stadium being earmarked as a potential 2023 Rugby World Cup venue could be ruled out of contention, depending on a decision by An Bord Pleanála next month.

GAA officials in Galway are awaiting a decision by the planning appeals board to grant permission for the erection of floodlights at Pearse Stadium in Salthill.

Seven appeals have been lodged against a decision by Galway City Council to grant permission for the erection of floodlights.

“Galway GAA is confident that it can respond to all of the issues raised, to enable An Bord Pleanála make its decision,” said a spokesman for the Galway GAA.

Parking problems

There have been ongoing issues with some local residents since the ground was redeveloped in 2002. Parking is cited as a particular problem.

Temporary lights were introduced in October 2006 when a capacity crowd turned up for the International Rules clash between Ireland and Australia. However, plans to erect permanent floodlights have been strongly opposed by some residents in the area.

The absence of floodlights would almost certainly rule Pearse Stadium out of contention as possible Rugby World Cup venue. The venue had a capacity of 34,000 when redevelopment work was completed in 2002 but this has since been reduced to 26,197.

Casement plans

The

High Court

in Belfast has ruled that planning permission for the redevelopment of Casement Park is illegal. A new application for the £77 million (€97 million) redevelopment, which would increase the capacity from 32,600 to 38,000, is expected to be lodged next year.

It is expected that eight GAA venues will be among the 12 proposed grounds in the IRFU bid to stage the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

A decision on the permanent erection of floodlights at Pearse Stadium, which has been closed for the past few weeks as major works have taken place on the pitch, is expected next month, before Galway open their NFL campaign at the venue on February 1st.