A plan for the future of Deerpark, a prime green space in Dublin's Mount Merrion, has been put on hold until legal advice is received on proposals for an all-weather soccer pitch on the lands.
Last night councillors on the Dundrum area committee of Dún Laoghaire County Council were presented with the council's master plan for the 44-acre park. It includes the upgrading of a tennis court building, the replanting of woodland, a bandstand, a viewing platform and the controversial matter of the floodlit pitch.
Les Moore, park manager with the council, said it was proposed that most of the plan would be open to public consultation, apart from the soccer pitch because it had already been granted planning permission.
Mount Merrion Residents' Association had appealed planning permission granted to Mount Merrion Youths' Football Club for the pitch to replace an existing one. There are currently four pitches in the park.
An Bord Pleanála's inspector had recommended that permission should be refused but the board granted permission on the grounds that it would not seriously diminish the value of the park as a neighbourhood amenity.
The majority of councillors objected on hearing that the soccer pitch would be excluded from the public consultation. Mr Moore said he would have to seek a legal opinion on the matter. He said the plan would not be presented to the public until the legal advice was received.
Afterwards, Green Party councillor Ciarán Fallon said it was vital that the public had a say on the entire plan. "I think it's good for local democracy," he said. "It's a matter for all stakeholders in the park."
The matter may be discussed when Dún Laoghaire County Council meets next Monday.
