by Louise Doyle
A DECISION on whether a new school building in Milford will be given the green light is expected within days.
The Board of Management of Loreto Community School in Milford lodged planning permission with Donegal County Council in September 2024 for a new 1,951.2M2 two-storey school building.
Proposed plans comprise 11 general classrooms, special teaching rooms for science, art and business studies, offices, toilets, stores, plant room and first floor bridge link to the existing school building at Convent Road.
A roof mounted photovoltaic panel system for compliance (with part L) of the building regulations and all associated site works including new landscaping, external steps to existing grass play, and associated site development and service infrastructure works are also included in plans.
Planners sought further information from the applicant in November 2024, requesting details of footpaths (cycleways if appropriate) in compliance with Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets, including, but not limited to appropriate pedestrian desire lines to the school from existing pedestrian footpath infrastructure, road markings and signage within the development.
The applicant was also asked to confirm if existing parking facilities are sufficient to cater for the volume of staff, students, private parking for set down and pick up and bus parking within the development and along the frontage of the school.
Furthermore, the applicant was asked to provide a drainage redesign, including but not limited to calculations of attenuation with discharge rates to green field run off.
Kennedy Fitzgerald Architects LLP submitted a detailed response to all of the information sought. In relation to footways, Kennedy Fitzgerald Architects LLP outlined that all footways will provide universal access between the extension and school building, and shall connect to the adjacent footpaths.
The response further outlined how there was no requirement to provide or amend pedestrian crossings in relation to the proposed extension. Similarly, the response highlighted that there were no proposals to provide additional cycle lanes that would be directly associated with the proposed extension.
The current school enrolment is 811 students. The submitted planning application indicates an anticipated maximum occupancy of 820 students.
In relation to whether existing car parking facilities are sufficient to cater for the volume of staff, students, private parking for pick up and set down, Kennedy Fitzgerald Architects LLP highlighted correspondence dated December 5, 2024 provided by Loreto Community School to confirm that the proposed ASA extension is designed to support and maintain the existing school community with no intention to increase student/staff levels as a direct result of the new building.
“This letter also confirms that the school is satisfied that existing car parking facilities meet current and anticipated future demand, and there is no envisaged increase to bus requirements as a direct consequence of the proposed ASA extension.”
Donegal County Council is due to make its decision on Monday.
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