The proposed redevelopment relates to land known as South Link Playing Fields, located in Andersonstown, West Belfast. The site sits adjacent to existing St Agnes GAC facilities and is surrounded primarily by established residential neighbourhoods. The wider area includes a range of community and recreational assets, including schools, leisure facilities and open spaces, reflecting Andersonstown’s long-standing role as a residential and community-focused part of the city.

The playing fields are currently under the ownership and management of Belfast City Council and form part of the wider network of public open space within West Belfast. Despite this designation, the site has experienced limited formal use in recent years.

History of St Agnes GAC and the Site

St Agnes GAC has been based in Andersonstown for almost 75 years, providing opportunities to participate in Gaelic games for boys and girls from youth level through to adult competition. The club has maintained a continuous presence in the area since its establishment and has historically relied on local facilities to support sporting, cultural and social activities.

South Link Playing Fields were originally laid out as recreational pitches; however, over time the quality and usability of the land declined. A lack of sustained investment has resulted in the pitches becoming largely unused, with limited infrastructure remaining to support organised sport or wider community use.

Current Site Conditions

At present, South Link Playing Fields consist primarily of open grassed land with no modern pitch infrastructure. The site is largely vacant, with portions becoming overgrown and inaccessible. Aside from a small play area located at one end of the site, there are few facilities encouraging regular or structured use.

The existing St Agnes GAC clubrooms, located nearby, were established following the approval of planning application Z/1998/2982, which was submitted in November 1998 and granted permission in June 1999 for the change of use and conversion of an existing maintenance building to form clubrooms and changing facilities for St Agnes GAC. While the facilities continue to serve the club, the buildings no longer meet the spatial or functional requirements of a growing membership base and lack modern amenities commonly associated with contemporary sports facilities.

Proposed Development

To coincide with its 75th anniversary in 2026, St Agnes GAC has initiated proposals to redevelop South Link Playing Fields into a modern sporting and community facility. The project is intended to make more effective use of an underutilised site while supporting sport, community engagement and cultural activity in Andersonstown.

Sporting Facilities

The proposals include the construction of a high-quality playing pitch, designed to current standards for Gaelic games. The pitch is intended primarily to support training and competitive matches, particularly at underage level, where demand for suitable facilities is greatest.

Club Facilities

The development includes plans for new or significantly upgraded club rooms, replacing the existing facilities. These buildings would provide modern changing areas, meeting rooms and social spaces designed to support players, volunteers, officials and visitors. The facilities are intended to meet accessibility and operational standards appropriate to a contemporary community sports club.

Community Hub

A central element of the proposal is the creation of a multi-purpose community hub. This space is intended to be used for a range of activities beyond sport, allowing broader community access to the site. The hub is designed to support events, meetings, educational activities and social programmes, helping to maximise year-round use of the facility.

Cultural and Community Use

The proposed hub includes a defined focus on cultural and heritage-related activities, aligned with the wider role of Gaelic Athletic Association clubs in promoting Irish language, history and traditions. Planned uses may include workshops, classes and community events.

In addition, the proposals recognise the diverse makeup of the local population. The facility is intended to accommodate multicultural and inclusive activities, enabling participation by residents from a range of backgrounds and age groups.

Purpose and Long-Term Use

The redevelopment is intended to address long-standing underuse of the South Link Playing Fields by introducing modern infrastructure capable of supporting both organised sport and wider community activity. The project seeks to provide facilities that can be used by current members while remaining adaptable for future generations.

The proposals remain subject to further design development, funding arrangements and the submission of a formal planning application. Ongoing engagement with local stakeholders and statutory bodies is expected to inform the next stages of the project.