LWETB seeks green light for Castlepollard school extension

An application for planning permission to carry out an extensive list of works at Castlepollard Community College has been submitted by the Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) to Westmeath County Council.

The proposal includes refurbishment of the main school building, and the erection of two large extensions.

Submitted on April 26 to the council, the LWETB application starts with its intention to demolish a 148 sq m extension to the main school building as well as removal of temporary prefabricated classrooms (510 sq m), and a temporary dining hall which measures up at 126 sq m.

The board then intends refurbishing the main school building (1,769 sq m), and erecting two 2-3 storey extensions (4843).

These extensions are to contain general and specialist classrooms, a special education needs (SEN) unit, a PE hall, a general purpose hall, offices, staff room, library, social spaces, sanitary facilities and ancillary spaces.

The intention is also to install solar photovoltaic panels at roof level.

The application goes on to list further proposed works, which are removal of the existing play area and construction of two multi-use games areas; provision of a landscaped courtyard area, amphitheatre and SEN play area.

Also included is a proposal for reconfiguration of the existing staff and visitor car parking to increase the number of spacers from 58 to 61 staff parking spaces including 12 electric vehicle charging spaces and five accessible parking spaces.

Also on the list is provision of 28 sheltered and eight non-sheltered bicycle parking spaces; improvements to the existing bus drop-off area and provision of a new car drop-off area with two new vehicular entry/exit points along the Mullingar Road; provision of general landscaping, upgraded boundary treatments, retaining walls, associated drainage, attenuation and other site services including an ESB substation and electrical switch room (24 sq.m) and external bin areas.

The county council’s decision is due on June 20.