An Bord Pleanála upholds school expansion plan
RE-DEVELOPMENT OF BLARNEY’S SCOIL MHUIRE GAN SMÁL WILL CATER FOR UP TO 1,200 PUPILS
THE ambitious plan to construct a new three story school on the site of the existing Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál in Blarney has been given a major boost after being sanctioned by An Bord Pleanála.
Late last year Cork County Council gave the thumbs up to the plan - despite the fact that more than 20 observations/ submissions had been lodged in relation to the project.
The Development, which the Board of Management hope will transform the secondary school into one of the most modern in the country, will bring its population up to 1,200 pupils.
The new school building will consist of more than 40 classrooms, science laboratories, specialist arts, home economics and technology rooms, a dedicated special needs unit, an extensive library and a PE with a fitness suite.
External works include ball courts, bus set-down areas, more than 100 car-parking spaces and a new traffic management system in the vicinity of the school.
The project will entail the demolition of part of the existing two-story school building, the relocation of existing prefabricated classrooms and the addition of four new ones to cater for students while construction work is ongoing.
Under the plan these would be removed once the works, which it had been hoped would start in the middle of this year, had been completed.
Issues raised in the original submissions included traffic flow and safety, the capability of the existing sewage system to cope with the increased demand, excess surface water, the scale of the proposed new building and its suitability in terms of the size of the site and the lack of engagement with locals during the planning process.
Despite these concerns, planners gave the project the green light subject to 25 conditions covering issues including pollution control and waste management, excess surface water, pedestrian and road safety, parking and the implementation of a dedicated school travel plan.
However, it subsequently emerged that the timetable for the project would have to be rethought after the initial decision was referred to the appeals board following submissions in the name of Tim O’Brien and the Castle Close Residents Association.
After consideration the board ratified the council’s original decision, ruling that the development would “be acceptable in terms of pedestrian and traffic safety, would not seriously injure the amenities of the area of property in the vicinity and would therefore be in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
While the board gave consideration to a revised design submitted in response to the appeals, it also ruled in favour of the original design saying it “was more attractive in terms of form and materials.”
However, the approval is subject to compliance with 18 conditions addressing issues such as the interests of residential and visual amenities, traffic management, public health, orderly development and waste management.
The developer was also to pay an as yet undetermined contribution to the council to offset the cost of upgrading the existing roadway to the south of the site from its junction with Shean Road Lower.