Ballinrobe Town AFC praised as local councillors back sale of council land for new pitch

BALLINROBE TOWN AFC have been lauded by local county councillors after they agreed to sell council-owned land to the club.

At their monthly meeting, councillors from the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District voted to dispose of 9.8 acres of land on The Neale Road, where the South Mayo soccer club intends to develop a new playing pitch.

The sale must receive the approval of the next full meeting of Mayo County Council before being finalised.

The land had been purchased by Mayo County Council from Michael and Maureen O’Malley, Cloonkeary, Ballinrobe for the development of a new graveyard a number of years ago.

The proposed playing pitch will be situated on land that was surplus to the requirements of the new burial ground.

Local councillor Michael Burke, who helped the club to secure the deal to purchase the land, described their plans as ‘a great proposal for Ballinrobe’.

“They have 400-plus members, and they do a fantastic job with young and old,” said Cllr Burke, who described the sale as ‘a great deal for the club and a great deal for the county council’.

If approved, the land will be sold for €102,500, excluding VAT.

Ballinrobe-based Fianna Fáil councillor Damien Ryan also supported the sale of the land and praised the council staff and residents who had cooperated with developing the new graveyard on The Neale Road.

“All that has happened up there has portrayed Ballinrobe in a very positive light and this particular proposal, coupled with the investment, will transform the landscape in that particular area, and I’m delighted to be associated with it,” said Cllr Ryan.

Describing the project as ‘hugely ambitious’, Cllr Patsy O’Brien (Independent) welcomed the sale of the land and wished Ballinrobe Town well in the future.

The sale will be subject to the pitch development receiving planning approval.

The club has struggled to cater for its growing membership with its current facilities at The Green in Ballinrobe.

In addition to the development of a playing pitch, the club has pledged to install new pedestrian safety measures to complement the existing footpath.

A €10,250 deposit must be paid upon the signing of contracts – which may be refunded if planning permission is refused.

A first payment of €37,750 will be liable once planning permission is fully granted.

The club welcomed the approval of the sale by Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District on social media, stating: “We cannot wait to see the progress made this year and the benefits it will bring to our community. Exciting times ahead for our club.”