2561127
SINGLE-STOREY MODULAR STANDALONE UNIT, COMPRISING TWO CLASSROOMS, WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN OCTOBER 2023 UNDER EXEMPTED DEVELOPMENT PROVISIONS AND PERMISSION FOR (1) CONSTRUCTION OF TWO NEW SINGLE-STOREY MODULAR STANDALONE BUILDINGS TO ACCOMMODATE FOUR CLASSROOMS IN TOTAL, (2) PROVISION OF TWO SECURE PLAY AREAS, (3) RECONFIGURATION OF THE EXISTING CAR PARKING AREA, (4) REMOVAL OF AN EXISTING MODULAR BUILDING AND (5) ALL ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS
Core Planning Reasoning
The proposed development is considered an acceptable intensification of an established educational use on appropriately zoned land ('Community Education'), which provides necessary infrastructure for a special school without significantly impacting residential amenity, traffic safety, or the environment.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The principle of consolidating and extending the existing school use is acceptable under the 'Community Education' zoning in the Letterkenny Plan.
- Traffic and transport concerns regarding the narrow road network are noted but considered strategic issues; the development itself provides sufficient on-site parking (34 spaces) exceeding CDP standards for the total classrooms on site.
- The modular buildings are of a scale and design that maintains adequate separation from residential properties, ensuring no significant overbearing or overlooking effects.