Local reps welcome North Inner City pitch decision

Local politicians Mary Lou McDonald, Daniel Ennis and Nial Ring have welcomed a decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála to stop the removal of a beloved sports pitch in the North Inner City.

The Strand pitch, close to Portland Row and the Five Lamps, was earmarked for removal by authorities in order to make room for housing, but local politicians argued that the pitches were a vital part of the local community’s social fabric.

On Thursday, An Coimisiún Pleanála refused planning permission for the proposed 49-home residential development at Portland Row, a decision that successfully preserves the well-used Aldborough Place Multi-Use Games Area.

Following a high-profile campaign from local elected representatives, and support from major stars such as Kellie Harrington and Troy Parrott, the decision was made to retain the pitches.

Harrington said, “we are doing all we can to try and save this space, so that we can have housing and our open safe play space side by side, where the community that’s here now can mix and welcome the people who will move into the new community in the corporation yard.”

“We should not be pitted against each other, but this is what it feels like is happening. We are not looking for something that is not there, looking to keep what we have for many years,” the Olympic gold medalist said.

Ireland striker Parrott was a vocal advocate of keeping the pitch, saying they were a “vital” part of the community.

He said the pitches were a “safe place for all to build friendships and practice our trade.”

McDonald said “saving the pitch on Portland Row is a huge victory for the local community and for common sense. “

“Communities should never be forced to choose between housing and spaces like this for our young people to play,” she said.

The Sinn Féin TD and leader said “now that that the pitch is saved, we need to see a plan from Dublin City Council to develop it to its full potential for generations of children from this community.”

“This pitch is very important for the young people of the local area.  It is a place where they can play safely, enjoy games, develop their sports skills and make friends.  It’s a place where young people from the area grow up together, and that is everything.

McDonald noted there was a “huge” community effort to save the pitch, and paid tribute to local Olympic winner Kellie Harrington, who was among the main voices in advocating for the pitches to remain.

“All of this shows the power of people coming together standing up for their communities,” McDonald said.

Ennis welcomed the decision and said that the decision was a “major victory for a community already starved of proper sporting facilities.”

The Social Democrats TD, who serves as the party’s spokesperson on sports, said the campaign “grew into something bigger.”

“When this campaign started, it was initially about one pitch – but it grew into something bigger. It shows what can be achieved when we stand together and fight side by side for our spaces, our young people, and our community,” he said.

The Dublin Central TD said, “I fought for this not just as a public representative, but as a resident and sports lover who knows the importance of this space to my own family and so many others. These spaces are lifesavers, particularly in underprivileged communities that have been ravaged by drug addiction, anti-social activity and crime.”

“So many memories have been made at the Strand pitch. And now, future generations will get the same chance to play, grow, and dream on this ground.”

Ennis echoed McDonald’s calls for Dublin City Council to engage with the local community and attempt to develop the pitch into a local community utility

“We must now work with Dublin City Council to develop this space and grow its use for sporting, recreational and community purposes, alongside a new plan for housing on the adjacent site. However, any new proposal must recognise the community’s needs and not repeat the planning mistakes of the past,” he said.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a community. I would like to pay tribute to every single person who played a part in this campaign and made this outcome possible,” the Soc Dems TD said.

North Inner City councillor Nial Ring welcomed the decision.

The independent councillor said, “I formally lodged an observation and subsequent appeal against the proposal and, while the outcome represents a win for local youth and community infrastructure, the focus must now shift to delivering much-needed social housing on the former Dublin City Council depot site.”

Ring said there was a “stark deficit” of open space in the area.

Statistics from Ring noted that the North East Inner City area has 1.89 m² of green space per person, compared to the Dublin City average of 49.0 m² per person.  

“I presume that unbelievable and stark number alone influenced An Coimisiún Pleanála,” Ring mused.

Ring stressed that local politicians still want to deliver social housing, but it could not come at the cost of community spirit and cohesion.

“While we all fully support the delivery of social housing, sacrificing the Aldborough Place MUGA was simply a step too far for our community,” he said.

“In an area with such a critical shortage of green and play space, protecting this amenity was a social necessity. Removing a 1,300 m² outdoor facility heavily relied upon by a rapidly growing youth population would have set a dangerous precedent for the whole city” he said.

“The decision should be viewed as an opportunity to achieve a balanced outcome where everyone wins, by protecting recreational space for young people while delivering high-quality social housing for those on the waiting list.”

Ring stressed “we don’t want to stall housing, but we need sensible, clever and community-focused planning. Dublin City Council and Tuath Housing must now go back to the drawing board and redesign the plan to focus strictly on the old Dublin City Council maintenance depot site, without encroaching on the MUGA.”

“Then, with what I know will be great local support, we can build the social housing our city urgently needs while keeping a vital community sports space alive” he said.