PLANNING: Plans lodged to County Council for major expansion of large Tipperary school

A secondary school in Tipperary has submitted plans for a significant expansion project.

READ NEXT: IN PICTURES: Jubilant scenes as a huge crowd welcome home heroic Harty

Tipperary Education and Training Board has applied to Tipperary County Council seeking permission to develop four new extensions at Coláiste Dún Iascaigh, located on the Cashel Road in Cahir.

If approved, the proposed developments would add approximately 2,500 square metres of additional floor space to the school and would serve several purposes.

The first extension, planned for the western side of the existing building, would consist of both single and two-storey sections.

This addition would include four special educational needs (SEN) classrooms, six standard classrooms, four specialist teaching rooms and three rooms designated for special education teachers.

The second and third extensions are intended to provide technology preparation rooms, enhancing the school’s current technology facilities. The fourth extension would be used for storage.

The plans also outline proposals for new vehicular gates leading to a service yard, the construction of a covered storage area and alterations to the existing car park. These changes aim to increase parking capacity and create a dedicated SEN drop-off zone.

Additional elements of the proposal include two new covered bicycle shelters, the relocation of two existing shelters, and the development of an enclosed SEN play area along with a sensory garden.

Planning documents show that the school currently accommodates 892 students and employs 100 teaching staff. The proposed works are not intended to increase student numbers.

Instead, projections suggest that enrolment may fall slightly to around 880 students in the coming years, according to the school’s planning agent.

Architects involved in the project have stated that the expansion is designed to improve the quality of facilities rather than to increase capacity.

Coláiste Dún Iascaigh opened in 1997 and operates as a co-educational school. The principal is Mr Peter Creedon.

At present, the school contains 20 general classrooms, two computer rooms, two home economics rooms, four science laboratories, a PE hall, an art room, a library and a canteen.

Tipperary County Council is expected to issue a decision on the application by March 25.

READ NEXT: Tipperary hurler Adam Daly shoots the lights out as Mary I qualify for Fitzgibbon Cup final