The football Association of Ireland (FAI) has lodged its much debated planning application for a 45,000-seat stadium in west Dublin. Described as a recreational and performance arena on a site of 23.3 hectares (57.6 acres) at Gibbons and Fortunestown, Tallaght, the planning application includes an arena with a retractable roof and retractable playing/performance floor.
The gross floor space is 91,319 sq m, with a playing surface of more than 7,000 sq m. There are to be three training pitches, a "school of excellence" incorporated in the complex.
The proposed arena is to be used for events other than international soccer and main domestic matches. The FAI envisages concerts, trade shows, exhibitions and other public events. According to the planning application lodged with South Dublin County Council, about 50 "significant" events per year, that is those with an anticipated attendance of more than 20,000 people, are to be held.
The structure will incorporate ancillary accommodation including bars, restaurants, conference facilities, exhibition space, viewing boxes, media facilities, national, regional and local FAI offices and a sports museum. Also envisaged are local sports club facilities, retail sports outlets, players/performers facilities, and a communications and control centre.
The scheduling of "significant" events is to be subject to traffic management and an ongoing environmental monitoring programme to be put in place to assess the effect on the local residential environment over a distance of 1.5km from the arena.
The plan envisages parking for about 3,000 cars and 120 buses. Access to the development will be via a new roundabout at the junction of the Blessington Road (N81) and Citywest Road (proposed N82) and from the improved existing roundabout off the Citywest Road (proposed N82) link to the N7. To be known as Eircom Park, the facility has already been the subject of much debate, particularly as it may be seen to be in competition not only with the GAA's redevelopment of Croke Park, but also the proposed National Stadium.
The FAI says it has addressed each of the 42 objections raised by Dublin South County Council in relation to planning permission for the stadium.
The FAI is also confident that issues affecting the Department of Defence aerodrome at Baldonnel can be addressed to the satisfaction of the Department.
