Regional Sports Complex update

Cavan County Council is set to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment in respect of the proposed €30m Cavan Regional Sports Complex adjacent to Breffni Park.

The local authority has submitted a ‘scoping request’ to An Bord Pleanála in respect of the assessment, which is necessary to secure planning permission for the project.

The report will examine the viability of lands southwest of Cavan Town, west of Royal School and Breffni Park, Kilnavara/Lurganboy/Creighan/Rosscolgan.

A spokesperson for Cavan County Council explained: “The purpose of the scoping request is to identify the key environmental considerations associated with the proposed development.”

They added: “The scoping report has been prepared with a view to inviting early consultation comments on the approach to the EIA and the content of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). Comments received will inform the evolution of the site design, the EIA methodology and the overall development.”

A decision from the Bord, which will be required to contact other statutory agencies for input, won’t be ready for at least a year.

Earlier in 2023 a consultancy team was appointed to lead the design of the new proposed multi-million euro sports campus.

Almost €840,000 was jointly allocated to the local authority and Cavan County GAA Board towards the design of a new state-of-the-art, multi-sports facility.

The project is to be delivered on a phased basis in conjunction with a centre of excellence at Kingspan Breffni by Cavan GAA.

An agreement is also in place with the neighbouring Royal School, which has plans to enhance its sporting facilities.

The sports campus will include 4G pitches, playing areas for basketball and hockey, and facilities for badminton, tennis and athletics.

Part VIII planning permission will be sought sometime in 2024 for the project.