A South Dublin football club has issued another plea to save their playing space as proposed new housing developments go to public consultation.
Knocklyon United FC have been battling to save their pitches at their home base of Ballycullen Park in Dublin 16.
Preliminary plans from South Dublin County Council to build 42 social homes on the club's pitches could drive the club to extinction, which would deprive upwards of 450 kids of the chance to play football.
The Council previously Knocklyon United issue plea to South Dublin County Council to keep their 'hands off our clubs' as housing plan fears grow that a portion of land adjoining to Ballycullen Park was under consideration for a small development, but it is in the early stages.
The plans would currently see 21 houses and six apartments placed on the lands with "re-arrangement of existing playing pitches and new park/play area and all necessary associated ancillary works on the site and adjacent areas", according to the council.
The planning documents show allowances for two 7-a-side pitches to be shifted over to the right of their current location, beside the new proposed develeopment.
South Dublin County Council announces 109 social housing units to be built in Clondalkin
United chairman Donal Skelly, who described the club as a "vibrant hub" within Knocklyon, believes that the club is an asset a growing community cannot afford to lose.
And the club issued a statement last night calling on local residents, who Skelly described in November as "furious", to lobby candidates for the local elections and engage with the consultations to help the club.
"SDCC has put the proposed development out to public consultation before the scheduled vote," the club said.
"We are asking everybody to lobby all election candidates before Local Elections on May 24th.
"We are also asking all our supporters to make submissions online at https://consult.sdublincoco.ie before 5:00 PM on Monday 17th June."
