CASTLETROY GOLF CLUB has said it faces risk of “closure” if a nearby proposed housing development goes ahead, and claimed it would be left open to claims for damages over “stray” golf balls damaging the proposed homes and residents.

Conditional planning for the proposed development of houses and apartments at Golf Links Road and Mount Green Road in Newcastle, Castletroy, is currently under appeal, according to planning files at Limerick City and County Council.

The “large-scale” development application, from Sonnervale Ltd, Leamy House, Hartstonge Street, includes 114 residential units comprising 16 four-bed 2.5 storey detached properties; eight three-bed 2.5 storey semi-detached houses; 36 two-and-a-half storey, three-bed terrace homes; 19 three-storey, two-bed duplex units; 19 three-storey, three-bed duplex units; 16 two-bed apartments provided within two four-storey blocks and associated development works.

Castletroy Golf Club is one of a number of objectors to the development in its current guise.

In its objection, submitted through AK Planning consultants, Mill Road, Corbally, the golf club stated that while it was not opposed to homes being built in the area, it had “serious concerns about aspects of the development in proximity to the Golf Club lands where serious impacts on the functioning of the club are inevitable in the absence of substantial mitigation”.

The golf club said the proposed development is located “within an area that currently receives stray golf balls on a daily basis and where damage to future property and its occupants is probable without mitigation”.

“This is a serious issue for the club given that there are inherent risks associated with stray golf balls entering a developed area where up until now these lands have been vacant.

“The proposed development introduces risk that the Golf Club will be subject to claims for damages emanating from people living in the proposed development. The risk of damages creates a risk that the Golf Club will not be able to afford insurance cover and thereby could face the prospect of closure as a result of this development.”

The golf club, which holds 1,300 members, and which has been operating for the past 88 years, claimed there was a “duty of care” on the developer and the Council “to screen out potential risks to long established sport and recreational uses proximate to any proposed new residential development” by constructing and a 2.1m boundary wall between the golf club and the proposed dwellings at a estimated cost of almost €800,000, which the club said it could not afford.

“The proposed development necessitates a total investment of approximately €733,600 for boundary protection and course alterations to the 1st hole. These changes are essential to maintain course integrity, safety, and functionality in response to the adjacent development plans.”

The club also cited concerns that occupants of the current proposed homes would be impacted from noise pollution due to the close proximity of its maintenance area where it said “activity including the use of heavy machinery occurs all year round in order to mow and maintain the course” from 6am daily, “with mowers tractors and at times heavier earth moving equipment leaving and returning”.

“We estimate there are at least 15 of the proposed dwellings that would be impacted from the noise associated with the maintenance activity, it is the firm belief of the club that…there may be no real alternative other than omitting these units or relocating these units to a less noise sensitive location within the overall site,” stated the golf club.

It also cited concerns around potential for “trespass” scenarios, “endangering” the potential trespasser as well as the golf course and risking “potential for theft of equipment and acts of vandalism”.

“To reconfigure the 1st Hole and create a planted buffer zone would involve a financial undertaking that the golf club simply cannot afford without it threatening its very existence. It is incumbent therefore that the Planning Authority acts to protect the integrity and viability of Castletroy Golf Course in parallel with this development of much needed homes.”

The golf club reiterated it was “not opposed” to housing being constructed in the vicinity of the club, but it argued the proposed development “needs to be revised”.

“In terms of the magnitude of possible impacts there is enough evidence to support an existential threat to the Golf Club unless substantial revisions/mitigations are implemented,” it claimed.

Any final appeal notices must be lodged with the planning department at Limerick City and County Council by 24 January.