2443185
Permission is sought for development at the existing secondary school to include: removal of existing temporary accommodation, partial demolitions and alterations to the existing building, extensions ranging from part four-storey, three-storey and single-storey at the front and sides of the existing building, which includes a new P.E. hall facility, special education needs unit, general purpose hall, specialist and general classrooms, roof garden, and all ancillary teacher and pupil facilities, a single-storey sub-station and switch room together with all associated siteworks, including reconfigured site entrances, access roads, parking, bike shelters, ballcourts, site lighting, boundary treatments, landscaping, and all ancillary development works.
Core Planning Reasoning
The proposed development is granted as it represents the necessary modernization and expansion of an established educational facility. It is considered compatible with the 'Sustainable Residential Neighbourhoods' zoning, will not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area, and incorporates traffic management measures that enhance road safety and support sustainable transport goals.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The separation distance of over 40 metres from the proposed extensions to the nearest residential dwellings to the south ensures that no significant overlooking or overshadowing impacts will occur.
- The development does not constitute overdevelopment as it replaces temporary accommodation with permanent structures to meet modern educational standards while maintaining a stable student population.
- Traffic and road safety concerns are mitigated by the provision of an internal 45-metre bus set-down area, a school zone on the R608, and the future-proofing of the site boundary for the BusConnects Cork project.