NEW ST ITA’S SCHOOL PLAN ON COURSE
MAYOR of Drogheda Paul Bell has welcomed news of the ongoing preparations for the construction of the new St Ita’s Special School on the Cement Road.
‘Having completed the surveying and design stage on the Cement Road site, I was hoping to see a planning application to Louth County Council in Quarter 3 or 4 this year. But unfortunately due to COVID -19 some of the key preparation work was knocked of course, just a little I should add. The Department of Education has formally confirmed to Louth County Council that pre planning conferences will commence later this year which will be followed by full planning application being submitted in Quarter 2 or 3 2021. This would hopefully lead to the commencement of construction late in 2021 or early 2022,’ he stated.
The Mayor confirmed that he was a little apprehensive about the project with the anticipated slowdown in the economy. However he expressed his relief and delight with the Department of Education’s prompt response to his queries via Louth County Council.
“I commenced this project having identified the 5 acre site when I was Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council. I then encouraged Cement Road Stone Holdings to dispose of the site to Council on the Department of Education’s behalf. St Ita’s is much loved by the community and students and parents so reliant on its services. But it is severely overcrowded on its present site on Crushrod Avenue and has taken up additional space on the Boyne Rugby Club site at Shamrock Lodge on the Ballymakenny Road. The new school will be purpose built for the students and will have ample space to develop in future years,’ he added.