Council gives controversial Eden school green light

Just over two months after Offaly County Council controversially voted to rezone land at Killane, Edenderry, planning permission has been given for a 24 classroom school on the 2.4 hectare site. Though local opinion is agreed school accommodation is badly needed in Edenderry, some voiced concerns that the proposed site earmarked by the Department of Education was not the right one for a new school building. The Commission on School Accommodation identified the Dublin end of Edenderry as the ideal area for new school accommodation in 2005, but last February the current site on the Tullamore side of town was handpicked by the Department of Education. Using the proposed land required a change to the draft Edenderry local area plan for 2011-2017. Though submissions relating to the rezoning raised concerns about traffic congestion, access and leaving Offaly County Council with no landbank for its housing list in Edenderry, this change was agreed by councillors on June 10 at a meeting of Offaly County Councillors. A planning application for a 5,288 square metre development was received by Offaly County Council just over a fortnight later on June 27, with a decision due on August 21. On August 18 planning permission was granted for the project, with no submissions received since its receipt by Offaly County Council almost two months earlier. The permission paves the way for the construction of a two-storey 24 classroom building, with a general purpose room, library, ancillary accommodation and four special needs units in addition, as well as on site car parking, access roads, set down areas, ball courts and hard play areas. Permission was granted with eight conditions. These conditions include work hours restrictions, with all construction work to take place within the hours of 7am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1.30pm on Saturday. At permission consequent stage the developer must also submit for written agreement and consent of the planning authority details of signage for the school at its entrance from the road. Prior to development the developer must also submit a 'Project Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan' to Offaly County Council for agreement. The site is to be landscaped, with the hedgerow along the boundary with Killane Heights retained and reinforced if needed. Provision for cycle and pedestrian access is to be made through to Killane Drive. The project will be given the full green light four weeks from August 18 pending no appeals being forwarded to An Bord Pleanála.