A LOCAL primary school is set to expand its outdoor facilities for pupils. Barefield National School on the outskirts of Ennis has been given the green light by Clare County Council for plans to develop a 5m hurling practice wall and a school playground facility.

The application for planning permission for the development was made by the Board of Management of Barefield National School. The proposed playground will have a total area of 275sqm and will be surrounded by a high green coated fence.

In assessing the application, planners with Clare County Council noted that the lands are zoned for ‘community’ development and the site of the hurling wall and play area is within the curtilage off the overall school. With this in mind planners determined that the proposed development would be acceptable in principle.

The hurling wall is planned to be constructed within the existing pitch / green area to the east of the school. Planners found “no adverse impacts are envisaged with regard to the proposed hurling wall in the south of the site as there are no existing dwellings immediately to the south.”

The planned playground is bounded to the east by a detached residence, with the boundary separating the school form the residence delineated by trees.

“It is not possible to see from one site in to the other,” the planner’s report stated adding that flood lighting is not proposed to be provided as part of the proposed facilities.

“No adverse impact on residential amenity is envisaged,” the planner’s report stated.

The site of the planned development is outside Flood Zone A and B, with the applicants stating they have no knowledge off the site having ever flooded.

Assessing the plans, the planner noted the site is located 1.8ikm from Dromore Woods and Loughs and 2.3km from Ballyallia Lake.

The report determined, “Having regard to the nature and scale of the proposed development and the absence off proximity or connectivity to a European site, no Appropriate Assessment issues arise and it is not considered that the proposed development would be likely to have a significant effect individually or in combination with other plans or projects, on a European site.”

The planner recommended that planning permission be granted. In granting permission Clare County Council’s chief executive order stated, “Having regard to the established education use on the site, the onsite ‘Community’ zoning, the intended use of the proposed building, the policies of the current Development Plan, the relevant Section 28 Ministerial Guidelines and the pattern of development in the area, it is considered that, subject to conditions, the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity”.

Planning permission was granted subject to two conditions; that the development be carried out and completed in accordance with drawings and particulars received by the planning office on July 4; and that all surface water run-off associated with the development be collected and disposed off within the site and not discharge to the public road or into adjacent properties.