SAINT Aidan’s National School has received the green light for a single-storey extension, that will consist of two special educational needs classrooms and one mainstream classroom.
The planners’ report said that the “extension measures (to maximum dimensions) 33.7m in width, 22.3m in depth and 5.4m in height.
“The design of the proposed building will be similar in design and scale to the existing building and will contain a series of pitched roofs, albeit with more contemporary finish.”
It also says the application included “the extension of an existing covered bike shelter located to the rear of the existing school building in the playground”.
“The proposed bike shelter will be extended by an additional 2.7m which will allow for an additional four Sheffield stands to accommodate eight bicycles.”
The application also included the extension of the existing car parking area to accommodate six cars.
Regarding zoning, the planners’ report stated, “The proposed development site is located on land zoned within the Clare Development Plan 2017-2023 as Open Space.
“This land is owned by the Diocese of Killaloe. While a school or college is considered ‘not normally acceptable’ as a land use on land zoned ‘Open Space’, the land adjacent to it, zoned Community under the Clare Development Plan 2017-2023 and also within the ownership of the Diocese of Killaloe has been home to St Aidan’s National School since 1982.
“Alternative locations within the ‘Community’ zoned land were considered, which would have resulted in the existing play area of the school being used for the proposed extension and an alternative location for same required.
“In the accompanying planning statement, justification for the location of the proposed extension is given, which includes continuing a logical extension of the existing main circulation spine within the existing building, building close to the main drop off and parking areas, as well as reducing impact on the existing school during any proposed construction periods.
“In this instance, the extension of this school on land zoned as Open Space can be considered a non conforming use as the extension of this school, an existing established use, would not be injurious to the amenities of the area and is consistent with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
Planning permission was granted subject to three conditions.
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.