More information sought on new Tullamore special school project

Offaly County Council is seeking further information on a planning application for a new two-storey building for Offaly School of Special Education.

The council issued the further information request to the applicant, the Minister for Education, on June 20.

The Minister earlier this year lodged a planning application for the new building designed to replace the existing Offaly School of Special Education at Kilcruttin.

The new building, to include 12 classrooms for pupils with special education needs, is earmarked for a 2.3 acre greenfield site owned by the Department of Education at Norbury Woods Avenue. The site is located just off Collins Lane to the north of Tullamore, and is adjacent to the existing Educate Together National School.

The request from the local authority seeks six items of further information, including that the Minister “address whether the current provision of National School facilities within the Collins Lane Area is appropriate to cater for both the existing population as well as for the additional number of dwellings constructed, under construction or granted permission”.

“In the event that insufficient capacity exists the applicant is requested to indicate whether the existing Educate Together School or other schools in the locality have capacity to expand to service the projected increased pupil numbers having regard to the current subject application,” it added.

The applicant was also asked to explain why there appeared to be no lighting on one side of the building, and to demonstrate that sufficient external play areas would be provided for both the existing Educate Together school and the proposed special needs school.

In relation to car parking, the applicant was asked to demonstrate that sufficient car parking provision had been made, to confirm the future numbers of staff and pupils, to provide a car parking layout plan confirming ducting for electrical connection for future charging points, to consider the provision of visitor car parking, and to detail the provision of cycle parking and to assess the council's concerns over the layout of the proposed car parking.

The council also asked the applicant to respond to the large number of public submissions on the planning application.

In addition to 12 classrooms, the plans also make provision for a general purpose hall; dedicated rooms for music, home economics, art, daily living skills and practical activity; multi-sensory rooms, library, administration areas, sanitary facilities and associated ancillary accommodation. The new school will also include a GP room and therapy spaces.

A new vehicular and pedestrian site entrance from Norbury Woods Avenue is also proposed, along with a covered walkway between the school and the bus set down.

The Minister for Education now has six months in which to respond to the council's further information request.