Plans for a long-awaited new school building in Ballygunner have been hit with delays during the appeal stage.

The appeal was lodged by the applicant against a series of conditions imposed by Waterford City and County Council.

New Look for Gaelcholaiste Phort Lairge

Permission was granted to the Minister for Education and Youth for the demolition of Gaelcholaiste Phort Lairge in Ballygunner.

It also provided for the construction of a new post-primary school on site.

To date, the school has operated from 14 classrooms in pre-fabricated single-storey classrooms.

New plans approved by the planning department include the construction of a new school building, two special classes, a music room, a fitness suite, multi-use hall, and engineering, construction, and and home economics classrooms.

An appeal against the planning conditions was lodged with An Coimisiun Pleanala by the applicant on March 25th.

Conditions attached to the plans

The conditions stipulate that the development should be revised to provide for the realignment of the public road and provision of a bus lay-by and roundabout to serve the development.

The location of these transport links requires a revision of the proposed location of a 5 a side astro pitch, internal road layout, and parking spaces.

Additionally, the developer is required to make a Special Contribution of 125,000 euros to the Planning Authority in respect of exceptional costs which the council expects to incur in respect of a pedestrian crossing to facilitate the new school build.

All supporting documentation has been submitted to An Coimisiun Pleanala for their consideration in removing the conditions in question.

A decision regarding Gaelcholaiste Phort Lairge is expected to be made by July 28th.

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