St Finian’s College planning a multi-million euro expansion

Planning permission is to be sought for a major redevelopment and expansion at St Finian’s College, Mullingar.

According to the planning notice issued by the school’s board of management, 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.

St Mary’s Special School, South Hill on the move

St Mary’s Special School is set to move from its long-time home at South Hill in Delvin if its planning application for a new state of the art base on lands adjacent to St Finian’s College, Mullingar are given the green light.

According to the planning notice issued by the school’s board of management, the new development will consist of a single-storey eight-classroom building, which will incorporate associated teaching and clinical spaces, a general purpose/dining hall, a library and staff room, as well as solar panels at roof level.

The development will also include play and kick-about areas, covered outdoor seating, dining and teaching spaces, a new vehicular access point from the Longford Road and 32 car parking spaces.