Concerns over extension plan for Our Lady’s College

Galway City’s Heritage Officer and environmental group An Taisce have expressed concerns about a proposed three-storey extension to Our Lady’s College.

Last December, Ceist Ltd (the Catholic Education and Irish Schools Trust) sought permission for the new extension, which will include space for three classrooms, a new science lab, business studies room, technology rooms, preparation rooms and toilets at the school on Presentation Road.

The new building is proposed for the northern end of the 1960s structure on the school grounds and will involve the removal of pre-fab classroom to adjacent to the canal; removal of a storage and toilet enclosure under the 1960s building and removal of a pre-fab classroom adjacent to the primary school building.

However, planners subsequently sought justification from school authorities on why such a large extension was required, and how they intended to reduce car usage among parents and staff.

In its response, Ceist said Our Lady’s College – the amalgamation of the Presentation and Mercy secondary schools – would have a long-term enrolment is estimated at 420 students.

An evaluation carried out in 2014 found existing accommodation of 4,386 square metres, with a requirement for an additional 2,058 sq m to cater for a school population of 500 pupils.

The existing planning application is for 1,127 sq m, and there is a new PE hall planned in a second phase.

“Our Lady College currently operate daily on both school sites and will continue to do so until the proposed building extension is completed. This is a very unsatisfactory position from the school’s standpoint and continues to create significant issues with timetabling, staffing and integration.”

In a Mobility Management Plan, school authorities said that only staff vehicles and vehciles carrying a student with restricted mobility will be permitted to enter the site, and drop-off on Presentation Road in the vicinity of the site will be “discouraged”.

The school has contacted the Council to become part of the Park ‘n’ Stride initiative (allowing parents with special stickers free parking for an hour in the morning and evening at Mill Street carpark) and will be encouraging Drop ‘n’ Hop at Mill Street carpark, 220 metres away.

Following the clarification, An Taisce said it was satisfied when it saw the initial plans that the impacts on the Eglinton Canal were acceptable.

However, the environmental group was “especially concerned” about the indication of Phase 2 – a PE hall and outdoor playing courts – as it would have a negative impact on the canal’s wildlife corridor.

Concerns were also raised about traffic volumes and safety.

“Despite the obvious concerns about the level of parent car drop-offs and the proposals to introduce Park and Stride mitigation. An Taisce must express some concern about the unreality of reducing parent drop-offs, while at the same time increasing pupil numbers.

“The proposed location of the entrance gate is quite close to a ‘blind’ corner and with a footpath on only one side of the road, this even at the present time is a dangerous corner, all the more so when funerals and weddings are on at nearby St Joseph’s.”

An Taisce added that suggestions of a drop-off point and Mill Street carpark are “fanciful and expectations unrealisable”.

Meanwhile, the City Council’s Heritage Officer, Jim Higgins, said he was opposed to the removal of any of the stone wall to the front or side of the school, and also opposed to the demolition of the 1960s shelter “which is an interesting architectural feature with a rarity of value and worthy of retention”.

A decision on the application is expected later this month.

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