Sport Ireland has told stickybottle it was not concerned at the additional information and revised plans sought by Fingal County Council relating to its planning application for the mooted indoor velodrome on the Abbottstown sports campus, west Dublin.
While the council has said some parts of the plan were not acceptable and requested more information about aspects of the project - such as holding non-cycling and non-badminton events at the shared venue - Sport Ireland noted there were no queries or issues with the main building.
It also believed the latest development in the planning process would not unduly delay the project, adding it expected the revised elements, and extra information supplied, to go back before council officials very soon and for a decision to be reached in a matter of weeks.
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"We would anticipate a decision by Fingal County Council well before the end of the year," Sport Ireland said in reply to queries from stickybottle.
"Sport Ireland and its consultants are actively engaged with the local planning authority in clarifying their requirements and fully expect to be able to respond positively to the council’s request in the coming weeks. Given the short timeframe, Sport Ireland would not view this as a delay. We would anticipate a decision by Fingal County Council well before the end of the year."
The latest planning application for the velodrome was lodged on August 4th and the planning decision by Fingal County Council was reached on September 29th, with news of it only emerging publicly yesterday.
In its decision, the council sought more information, or revisions, to cycleway access routes to the velodrome as well as saying a shared parking facility should be explored with the National Indoor Arena, also situated on the Sport Ireland Campus.
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It also requested more information on plans to add 2,500 temporary seats to the 1,000-seat venue so that other sports events could be held from time to time. Fingal County Council said no information on these proposed events had been supplied in the planning application and sought more detail about those events. It also wanted parking for a more diverse range of bikes, among other issues raised and extra plans and information sought.
However, Sport Ireland said the nature of the requests for more information and some revisions were expected for any project on the scale of the new velodrome. It described such questions and revisions as "common", adding they related to "minor aspects" of the project.
"Sport Ireland expects to be in a position to provide the requested information and clarifications in the coming weeks and we do not anticipate that this will delay the overall process," it said in reply to queries.
"The points raised by Fingal County Council in the 'further information request' are mainly points of clarification and considered by Sport Ireland to be constructive comments on the scheme submitted for planning permission.
"Specifically in relation to the cycling facilities, Sport Ireland has engaged with the county council to further improve cycle and pedestrian access and amenities in close proximity to the proposed velodrome. There are no concerns expressed by Fingal County Council on the proposed structure itself."
Cycling Ireland echoed Sport Ireland's view, adding it was "delighted the velodrome has progressed to the planning stages" and looked forward to the "exciting development" coming to fruition.
"As would be typical for a largescale construction project, Final County Council made requests for further information from Sport Ireland. It is our understanding that the requested information and clarifications will be provided in a timely manner," Cycling Ireland told stickybottle.
"The construction of Ireland’s first indoor velodrome on the Sport Ireland Campus will greatly contribute to our objectives of increasing grassroots participation in cycling as well as providing a world-class training and racing environment for high-performance athletes."
