Planning permission granted for new 800-student local school
Planning has been granted for a new Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré
Planning permission has been granted for a new 800-student Coláiste Phobal Secondary School in Roscrea.
Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) applied to the local authority for planning permission to build a new school for Coláiste Phobal, Roscrea, which would be big enough to accommodate 800 students.
Under the plans, new general classrooms, as well as specialist classrooms, a PE hall, a general-purpose hall, offices, staff room, a library, and sanitary facilities would be built, with the existing school buildings knocked down, while all prefabs on the site will also be removed.
A bigger entrance to the school grounds from from Corville Road will also be provided, with drop-off and collection points, cycleways and footpaths, bicycle parking and a total of 80 car parking spaces will also be delivered as part of the plans.
76 regular car parking spaces will be provided for the new school, alongside four electric vehicle (EV) spaces, and 40 bicycle parking spots for students.
The new school will also have five new ball courts, landscaped gardens and outdoor socialising space.
The new amenities will replace the existing range of outdoor amenities, including four ball courts, a large green area and a staff and visitor car park, according to planning documents.
Documents submitted in support of the application say that all buildings on the site, bar the 1940s original school building will be demolished, with the school remaining in operation while works are carried out.
Tipperary County Council granted planning permission for the development, subject to 12 conditions.
Among the planning conditions are that any lighting associated with the new school building should be directed downwards, and that if any complaints are received by neighbouring properties, the council reserves the right to request a lighting survey be carried out.
They also stipulated that all service cables associated with the development be routed underground, and that all parking spaces and drop-off areas be clearly lined on the ground.
Coláiste Phobal is a mixed girls and boys school, established in 1999 after the merger of Sacred Heart Convent, Roscrea Vocational School, and the Christian Brothers School.
The school currently has 595 students, with 291 male students, and 304 female students, with the new school building allowing enrolment numbers to grow.
Coláiste Phobal is under the patronage of Tipperary Education and Training Board, with Mr Jack Flynn as Principal of the secondary school.
"This marks a significant milestone in the development of an exciting project that will provide a modern, state-of-the-art learning environment for generations of students,” the school said welcoming the news.
“This approval represents an important step forward and reflects our shared commitment to delivering the very best educational facilities for the community of Roscrea and its environs.
“We are excited to see this project continue to progress and look forward to the opportunities it will create for our students, staff, families and the wider community.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey to date. We look forward to sharing further updates as this landmark development moves forward,” Coláiste Phobal said.