By Violet Brown
A LONG-running campaign to deliver modern sporting facilities in Portavogie is nearing a breakthrough, with plans for a new 3G football pitch expected to be approved next month.
The proposal, first initiated in 2011, is due to go before Ards and North Down Council’s planning committee, bringing a 15-year community effort close to fruition.
The scheme aims to replace the village’s ageing grass pitch with an all-weather surface and upgraded facilities, addressing long-standing concerns from local clubs about inadequate provision compared to other areas.
Planning permission for the project previously lapsed in 2019, and a fresh application encountered objections from statutory bodies, including the Department for Infrastructure and NI Water. The revised application has remained in the system for several years as officials worked to resolve outstanding issues.
Planning officers have now recommended approval.
Peninsula alderman Robert Adair, who first raised the issue more than a decade ago, said getting to this stage has been a long time coming. “No other project has seen so hurdles and obstacles to overcome as this one,” he said. “I hope the council has learned lessons from this.”
Mr Adair said approval would represent a major boost for local sport.
“This is a significant step forward and is a major boost from the sporting community on the Ards peninsula,” he said, noting that only the business case update and land acquisition remain.
He criticised the lengthy process, particularly delays linked to NI Water: “These are six years that were wasted and once this planning approval is granted the council must work in earnest to deliver this facility – we can’t afford further inaction.” Highlighting the need for progress, he added: “We don’t want to be in the situation where planning has lapsed for a second time.”
Describing the current pitch as nearing the end of its lifespan, Mr Adair said: “The council promised this upgraded pitch and the community has waited almost 15 years for it.”
He concluded: “I certainly won’t be letting this issue go. The council made a promise to the sporting community of the Ards peninsula to deliver – they are going to have to act on it.”
