Planning permission has been granted to the board of management of Scoil Iosaif Noafa (St Joseph’s National School) in Kinvara for the development of an ASD unit catering for children with autism and special needs.

The board of management applied for planning permission to Galway County Council in April for planning permission to fit out the ground floor of a former convent building for use as an ASD unit.

Galway County Council has given planning permission, subject to six planning conditions, including that no work is permitted to be carried out to the first floor.

The former convent is a protected structure built in 1878 and the development involves refurbishment works to this building including the replacement of the windows and doors, along with the upgrading of the roof structure. Permission for a rear extension to this building to accommodate a kitchenette and bathrooms was also granted.

The local authority has sought a photographic schedule from the board of management which would outline the interior opes, fixtures and fittings and their repair or replacement prior to any works. It also asks for detailed specifications in relation to concrete flooring and specifics on the scope of repairs to the roof and tower prior to development.

The board of management, as a condition of planning, must also undertake a photographic survey of all windows and is obliged to have supervision and project management by personnel suitably qualified in conservation during the works.

It was noted in the planners report that the site is located in an area that is in or adjacent to a possible flood plain, but highlighted this “does not mean that it is liable to flooding”. According to the planner, the flood risk assessment on file demonstrated it was not within a flood risk area.