Larne Council provides funding boost for Shane O’Neill’s GAC

For a number of years, Shane O’Neill’s GAC – based at Feystown – has harboured aspirations to improve its existing clubhouse and changing facilities.

The club has fundraised heavily in recent years in a bid to get the project off the ground.

And it has now asked the local authority for funding to the tune of £1,232 to allow it to submit a planning application for the scheme.

The club facilities currently include changing rooms, a full sized hurling pitch and a small meeting room.

It plans to purchase land adjacent to its existing location to develop additional changing rooms.

The clubhouse will also include community rooms, which will be readily accessible to allow local people to run an array of programmes.

Consultants costs to date for planning application drawings, site surveying and investigation works and specialist consultant design total £12,655.

Previous negotiations with Larne Council several years ago suggested possible planning issues, with the Feystown site being located on a green belt.

However, through engagement with architects and an informal pre-application discussion with planners, it has been determined that there are no obvious issues with a proposed planning application for the site.

At the latest meeting of the development committee, Ald Roy Beggs proposed that the council should provide the grant to allow the club to make its application to planners. This was seconded by Cllr Gerardine Mulvenna and resolved by members.

Shane O’Neill’s GAC is the largest hurling club in the borough.

It currently has eight teams competing on its pitch and has a membership of over 150.