This webinar, hosted by the OPR in conjunction with the AILG, was delivered to provide Elected Members and staff of local authorities, regional assemblies, and An Coimisiún Pleanála with a practical understanding of planning for sports and recreational facilities.

The timely delivery of physical and social infrastructure is fundamental to creating healthy and sustainable communities. As Ireland plans for the delivery of at least 300,000 additional homes by 2030, it is important that the planning and delivery of sports and recreational facilities keeps pace with the needs of existing and new communities.

The OPR and Sport Ireland have collaborated on scoping work examining existing approaches to planning for and delivering sports facilities, to help inform good planning practice and policy development.

The webinar presented key messages arising from this scoping paper. Sport Ireland also provided an update on its work to develop an evidence base for sports facilities planning and outlined its new role as a prescribed body in the preparation of statutory plans.

Presentations from the GAA and Kildare County Council provided additional perspectives on the practical planning and delivery of sports and recreational infrastructure.

Presentations were delivered by:

• Benny Cullen 
  Director of Research and Innovation, Sport Ireland
• John Keating
  Senior Planner, Planning Research & Communications, OPR
• Peter Horgan
  Strategy, Insights & Innovation Manager, GAA
• David Jordan
  Senior Executive Planner, Forward Planning Heritage and Nature, Kildare County Council

We are happy to share the recording of this event, along with training materials, below.