SD23A/0336

New primary school (Roll No. 20549P), including 20 classrooms, with a gross floor area of 3,449 sq.m over 3 storeys; The proposed development will also provide a no. multi-purpose hall and all ancillary teacher and pupil facilities; Vehicular, cycle, and pedestrian access to the site is proposed to the north-west of the school, with staff and visitor parking spaces; car and bus drop off and set down facilities and associated set down areas and accessible parking facilities; A secondary, future provision of pedestrian, vehicular and cycle access points are provided to the southern boundary of the site; The development will also include the provision of bicycle and scooter parking; external stores; Internal access roads, cycle and footpaths; hard and soft play areas including 2 ballcourts; piped infrastructure, connections and ducting; external plant area; landscaping and boundary treatments; green roofs, PV panels; 1 ESB substation; EV parking facilities; external courtyards and all hard and soft landscaping; ancillary ramps and stairs; lighting; signage; 3 attenuation tank; SUDs; 3 flagpoles; changes in level and all associated site development and excavation works above and below ground.

Granted

Core Planning Reasoning

The proposed development is consistent with the 'Proposed School' objective and 'RES-N' zoning in the South Dublin County Council Development Plan 2022-2028, provides essential educational infrastructure for a growing population, and incorporates a revised design that protects the ecological sensitivity of the adjacent Rathcoole Alluvial Woodlands.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The development is a site-specific objective of the Core Strategy and complies with the residential zoning of the majority of the site.
  • Traffic and parking impacts are deemed manageable via a temporary access arrangement, a future permanent link road, and a robust School Travel Plan promoting 'park and stride' and active travel.
  • The revised hydrological and drainage design using SuDS ensures no significant adverse impact on the priority Annex 1 habitats within the adjacent Rathcoole Alluvial Woodlands.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Policy CS10CS10 Objective 1CS10 Objective 3CS10 SL01Policy SM1SM2 Objective 7Policy COS8COS8 Objective 2COS8 Objective 6Objective G17 SL02Section 12.8.5

Decision Document Summary

This report evaluates a proposal by the Department of Education for a 3-storey, 20-classroom primary school on a 1.8-hectare site in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin. The site is strategically located near the village core but sits adjacent to the ecologically sensitive Rathcoole Alluvial Woodlands (an Annex 1 habitat). The Inspector addressed two primary points of contention: traffic safety and ecological impact. While third-party appellants raised concerns regarding access through residential estates, th...
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