For more than a decade, the former CBS Secondary School in Tramore has stood largely empty, its classrooms silent and its grounds increasingly overgrown.

Now, fresh plans have been submitted that could finally bring part of the historic site back into use.

An application from Keybuild Services Ltd. seeks permission to convert part of the vacant three-storey school building at St Otteran’s Terrace into 12 residential units. The proposal includes a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments across three floors and would also involve the removal of existing prefabricated classroom buildings.

The application represents the latest attempt to redevelop a site that has become a growing source of frustration for nearby residents, many of whom say the former school has been left to deteriorate for too long.

“It’s a proper derelict site now”

Among those living beside the former school, there is a sense that the site has been forgotten.

One resident described the current condition of the property as “disgraceful”.

“It’s disgraceful to think they can let these prefabs get into that state,” the resident said.

“We don’t even know what kind of vermin might be in there.”

The resident said there have been repeated concerns about the condition of the buildings and recalled emergency services attending a recent incident.

“There was a fire a few weeks ago and emergency services were here. It’s a proper derelict site now.”

For many people in the area, the site carries decades of memories.

“It’s a shame,” the resident said. “It was one of the oldest residences in the town and to leave it in that state is terrible.”

While acknowledging the need for housing, the resident admitted there are mixed feelings among neighbours.

“I wouldn’t like to see houses there. We’re used to having our privacy here, with nobody overlooking us.”

However, the resident accepted that new homes are needed and said concerns mainly centred around preserving the character of the area and ensuring residents are properly consulted.

“Planning permission just goes up and nothing is ever explained to anybody.”

Lola O’Sullivan: “It’s Absolutely Dreadful”

Local councillor Lola O’Sullivan said she has been contacted repeatedly by residents concerned about the former school.

“It’s dreadful, absolutely dreadful, and it’s so unfair on all the residents in the area,” she said.

O’Sullivan believes the condition of the site has now become impossible to ignore.

“The developer isn’t local and I think it’s disappointing that he hasn’t done something to make it secure or to make it look better.”

“There was a fire in it a couple of weeks ago. It’s just in a dreadful, dreadful state.”

The councillor also raised concerns about safety.

“If children are going in there to have a look around, all of us were curious as children. I’m not saying it’s right, but it’s not unusual.”

Despite those concerns, O’Sullivan believes the site presents an opportunity.

“Essentially housing is the number one need,” she said.

“But I’d like to see housing similar to what is in Marian Terrace and St Otteran’s Terrace, that kind of townhouse-type community.”

She said there is no question that the site requires intervention.

“It is a derelict site, without a shadow of a doubt.”

“If it could be done, it would be wonderful to see something there, or the start of something.”

A Development Years in the Making

The latest application follows a long and complicated planning history.

Documents submitted to Waterford City and County Council during the preparation of the Development Plan in 2022 reveal that the site’s owners had been pursuing residential development for several years.

In a submission made on behalf of Andy Hally and Horsom Contracting Ltd., the developers objected to proposals that would have changed portions of the site from residential zoning to community zoning.

According to the submission, the company purchased the former CBS lands from the Edmund Rice School Trust after attending a council-hosted seminar on increasing housing supply in 2018.

The developers subsequently applied for permission to build 33 housing units on the site in 2019.

However, that application was withdrawn after planners indicated it was likely to be refused.

The reasons given included the ongoing review of the county development plan and concerns that provision had not been made for the future expansion of the neighbouring school.

The submission stated that extensive discussions later took place between the developers, Waterford City and County Council and the Department of Education.

Those discussions ultimately resulted in an agreement that a section of the site, including the sports hall, would be reserved to facilitate future educational expansion.

At the time, the developers warned that without residential development the former school could remain derelict indefinitely.

“The site has now been derelict for over six years and it is our view that unless housing is permitted on the remainder of the site it will remain derelict for years to come,” the submission stated.

Blaise Hannigan: “The Basketball Club Has to Stay”

Local councillor Blaise Hannigan said local residents have endured years of disruption linked to the condition of the former school grounds.

According to Hannigan, fires and anti-social behaviour have become recurring issues.

“That’s happened on maybe more than eight occasions in the last five years,” he said, referring to fires at the site.

“The people in St Otteran’s Terrace are the ones who have had to deal with this for over a decade.”

He believes stronger security measures are needed immediately.

“If they’re not going to remove the building, then put cameras in place so we can help the Gardaí find out who is causing the fires.”

However, Hannigan said one part of the site must be protected regardless of what development eventually takes place.

“We have to remember the basketball club is there.”

“It’s very important that they retain that facility because a massive number of young people play basketball there.”

The councillor said he would strongly oppose any proposal that threatened the future of the club.

“I would fully endorse that 100 per cent.”

“I wouldn’t accept any kind of planning in place unless the basketball court stays where it is.”

What happens to the Sports Hall?

While much of the attention has focused on housing, the future of the site’s sports hall is equally significant.

Planning documents from 2022 indicate that negotiations involving the Department of Education resulted in an agreement for the sports hall and part of the lands to be retained to support the future expansion of the neighbouring school.

Known locally as “The 50 Pence”, the adjacent school has long been viewed as the logical future user of the facility.

That means the sports hall itself is not expected to form part of residential redevelopment plans.

The arrangement would also provide certainty for the basketball club, which continues to use the hall and remains one of Tramore’s most active sporting organisations.

Both O’Sullivan and Hannigan highlighted the importance of protecting the facility and ensuring any future development works around it.

Waiting for a new chapter

The former CBS occupies a unique place in Tramore’s history.

Generations of students passed through its doors, while countless young people have continued to use the sports hall long after the school itself closed.

Today, however, the dominant image is one of overgrowth, boarded windows and repeated calls for action.

Whether the latest planning application succeeds remains to be seen.

What is clear is that after more than a decade of uncertainty, residents are eager to see progress.

As one local resident put it, “It’s a shame” to see such an important part of the town left in its current condition.

For many in Tramore, the hope is that the next chapter of the former CBS will finally be written.