Resident groups prepare for pitch battle

The redevelopment of Lansdowne Road rugby pitch could cause a flooding problem and leave householders in darkness, residents' groups have said.

The Bath Avenue and District Residents' Association, along with smaller residents groups and individuals, are preparing to lodge objections to the proposed development, even though the planning application has yet to be made to Dublin City Council.

"We've been given very little information by the development company, but from what little we have been told we have very serious concerns," said Frances Corr, secretary of the Bath Avenue group said.

"Putting an underground carpark under the pitch will be a huge interference with the river bank and will cause a major flooding problem that will come into Bath Avenue, O'Connell Gardens, and several other roads."

Residents were also concerned that what is now a public walkway along the River Dodder would be "privatised" and effectively destroyed by making it an entrance for match-goers.

The demolition of 70 Shelbourne Road was an unnecessarily aggressive step, she said.

The height of new stands would cause significant overshadowing of the surrounding one and two-storey houses, , she said.

"The residents always had a good working relationship with the IRFU until the development company came along. Now we're just being ignored so we're ready to lodge our objections, to go to appeal, and further if necessary."

Local Labour councillor Dermot Lacey, who favours the redevelopment, said he will also be lodging an objection to the destruction of the Shelbourne Road house and will be seeking specific compensation for O'Connell Gardens residents because of the extent they would be overshadowed by the proposed north stand.