Planning approval has been granted for a new €10m GAA Centre of Excellence in Mayo, with works expected to begin on-site within months.

No objections were lodged against the development during the 30 day grace period, which is standard procedure after local authorities give planning approval.

Connacht GAA Secretary John Prenty said: "We expect to start advertising for tenders for the work in the coming weeks, and we would hope to have work commenced by late autumn."

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Mr Prenty said preparation works on the 60-acre council-owned Knock-Ballyhaunis Road site, in Cloonacurry, Bekan would begin immediately.

He said the GAA expected to get good value, due to the substantial fall in contract prices.

The new centre will feature six outdoor GAA pitches, a state-of-the-art indoor pitch, gymnasium, and related facilities.

"We are absolutely delighted with this news. It means we can progress our plans now to build the first provincial GAA Centre of Excellence in the country, and the benefits will be felt by young sportspeople and their mentors all over the province," said Mr Prenty.

"The permission granted to us by Mayo County Council involves us scaling back our plans in some areas, and we are happy to do that. We addressed worries expressed by local residents in the area and everything is now in place," he added.

(PR/BMcC)