SD21A/0137
Provision of a temporary two storey post-primary school (Firhouse Educate Together Secondary School: Roll No. 68307J), comprising 10 classrooms and 3 specialist classrooms including all ancillary teacher and pupil facilities (2,000sq.m. gross floor area approximately); provision of an internal vehicular drop-off area and internal circulation routes; 15 surface parking spaces; bicycle parking; ball courts and play areas; access to the proposed temporary school will be from Oldcourt Road; provision of piped infrastructure and ducting; plant; pedestrian access points; ESB substation; attenuation tank; landscaping and boundary treatments; ancillary ramps and stairs; signage; changes in level and all associated site development and excavation works above and below ground; on a 0.86ha site approximately, which forms part of a larger 1.77ha landholding earmarked to accommodate a future permanent post-primary school; temporary permission for a period of 5 years is being sought.
Core Planning Reasoning
The Inspector concludes that the proposed development does not constitute a reasonable basis for an application because the proposed access road traverses lands zoned as Public Open Space (Objective ZO.6 (A)), which would represent a material contravention of the Limerick City Development Plan 2010 and potentially exclude the project from the definition of a Strategic Housing Development.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposal fails to meet the definition of Strategic Housing Development due to the encroachment of the access road on land zoned for Public Open Space, constituting a material contravention.
- The applicant has not provided a sufficient planning rationale or examination of alternatives for the access arrangements, particularly regarding the feasibility of accessing the site via the adjacent Part 8 development.
- The development requires further justification and detailed modeling regarding its location within and relationship to Flood Zones A and B to comply with the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines.