Sligo’s Mercy College granted planning permission for extension

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Sligo County Council has granted planning permission to the Board of Management of the Mercy College for an extension to the front of the school, on the site of the existing hockey field at Chapel Hill.

The extension will be part single and part two storey and will be attached to the existing school via a single storey link.

The development will include a two class base special education needs unit, engineering room, textiles room, science laboratories, art/craft room, staff tuition rooms, staff office, sanitary accommodation, ancillary rooms, plant and stores.

Minor works proposed to the existing building to facilitate the new extension include facade and layout changes in the vicinity of the link to the new extension such as the provision of landscaped courtyard spaces adjoining the new extension, amendments to the existing road and landscape layouts to support the new extension, a new pedestrian site entrance, six additional carparking spaces and 30 covered bicycle parking spaces.

The traffic and transport engineering report submitted with the application reveals the school caters for 709 students and 80 staff. It is not envisaged to increase capacity upon completion.

The report also focuses on access points noting, “At the school entry point, a new pedestrian crossing will be provided to ensure a safe crossing point for pedestrians is provided.

“Pedestrian access is currently provided at the existing access point to the school campus; this will be maintained and enhanced. A section of the existing front boundary fence will be altered to provide pedestrian access and allow a tie between the new pedestrian footpath and public infrastructure.”