Decision day for St Finian's College tomorrow

St Finian's College, Mullingar is due to find out tomorrow whether its plans for a major next expansion has been given the green light by Westmeath County Council.

According to the planning application, the multi-million euro project will include the upgrading and refurbishment of the main school building, which is a protected structure, and the construction of a two-storey western extension to the main school building, with a new entrance point at lower ground floor level, as well as the upgrading and refurbishment of the gymnasium and the construction of a new changing building.

There are also plans to construct a new two-storey building to the north to accommodate technology classrooms and science laboratories and a new three-storey building to the east to accommodate art classrooms.

The planning notice includes details for the demolition of the exiting single-storey western entrance and associated classrooms, the existing single-storey classroom block and the two-storey ancillary accommodation wing at the rear of the main school building, the existing maintenance sheds, two-storey changing building and the single-storey WC block.

If given the green light by the planning authority, the redevelopment will also involve the construction of an all-weather sports pitch to replace an existing grass pitch to the north of the school buildings, six ball courts and landscaped terraced seating to the rear of the main school building.

There are also plans for a new vehicular access from the Longford Road and the provision of 92 new car parking spaces and 110 bicycle spaces.

To allow for the project to go ahead while the school remains open, permission is also being sought for temporary school accommodation comprising 40 classrooms.