KINSALE residents are up in arms over plans to build sports pitches and replace a popular community green space.

Campaigners say the future looks bleak for a mature community orchard at the edge of town, close to Sáile Sports and Community Centre in Ballincubby.

Cork County Council has already approved an application to turn the orchard at Cappagh into two all-weather astro turf pitches for soccer and hockey, including protective fencing, ballstop nets and floodlights.

The application for the pitches was submitted by KRD Community Association which runs the sports and community centre. The community centre holds the lease of the grounds with the council.

Concerned mum Rose O’Flynn has asked council planners to reconsider their decision. She says her five-year-old daughter, who is a regular at the orchard’s forest school, is devastated the green space could disappear.

‘The orchard fills a gap that no pitch or playground can replicate,’ said Ms O’Flynn, adding the space was an irreplaceable resource for the community. She said it was deeply concerning to hear that the orchard may be replaced by another pitch, in an area where similar facilities were already abundant. ‘We’re not lacking pitches. We are lacking accessible, natural green spaces for both wildlife and children.’

Among the many tress under threat of getting cut down is one nicknamed the Grandma Tree, popular as a climbing tree with local children. The concerned residents fear the sports pitches would spell the end for much of the wildlife, such as protected wood mice, hedgehogs and bats, along with foxes, birds and insects.

‘There has been an uproar from the community about it,’ said a spokesperson for community group Transition Town Kinsale (TTK) who have been promoting sustainable initiatives in Kinsale for the past 21 years. Locals have also raised concerns about a 169-unit social housing estate to be built on a meadow close to the beauty spot, which would include a crèche childcare facility. An Coimisúin Pleanála recently ruled that the estate would not need a full Environmental Impact Assessment before construction starts.

‘The council shouldn’t have been allowed to put that many houses there,’ the Transition Town Kinsale spokesperson added.

Campaigners have started a petition and said that an Environment Primary Report pointed to the potential release of microplastics through drainage from the astro turf pitches, but say no mention was made of its effect on wildlife species and the adjacent Commogue Marsh and Bird Sanctuary.

The Kinsale Community Orchard was co-created in 2010 by TTK members as part of the development plan for Sáile Community Centre. Many community groups have been involved in developing the orchard over the years, including transition year students, Foróige, the Scouts, Kinsale College, Tidy Towns, Men’s Shed, Kinsale Forest Club and Wild Inspired Forest School.

Cllr Ann Bambury (SD) said the discussion was ongoing and she was hopeful the orchard would be able to remain as part of any future developing project. Paul Phipson, manager of Sàile Sports and Community Centre, said an extensive meeting about the housing development was recently held at the centre, with significant interest in progressing the project in Kinsale.

‘We clarified that Cork County Council holds a wayleave through the orchard, which they will be exercising when developing the construction of 169 units on land behind Sàile,’ he said.

‘Once the council has exercised its wayleave, we will be reconfiguring the layout of our astro pitches. We will be working with the local authority to ensure best possible outcome for our community.’

A spokesperson for Cork County Council said it was satisfied that the proposed housing development conforms to the provisions of the County Development Plan.