More than 20 new classrooms for Tipperary school under approved expansion
A Tipperary school is set to get a major new extension under plans given the green light by Tipperary County Council.
Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) applied to the local authority for planning permission to add more than 20 new classrooms to Newport College in the north Tipperary town of Newport.
The plans will see one, two and three-storey extensions added, with 13 regular classrooms, eight specialist classrooms, one special education room, a two-classroom special educational needs (SEN) unit with direct access to own outdoor play area, and a sensory garden.
The plans will also see the demolition of two buildings, one lean-to storage facility, and one prefab, as well as the removal of a one and two storey prefabricated classroom block.
The demolition of the prefab sections of the school building will come after the new extension is complete, according to planning files, and will make the school environment more comfortable for both students and staff.
The existing school has been in place since 1957, according to files submitted in support of the application.
As part of the plans, a new pedestrian entrance will be added, while adjustments to the existing staff car parking layout and the addition of new car and bicycle parking will be built.
There will also be improvements to the two existing vehicular entrances onto Black Road, while the school has asked for new pedestrian crossings to serve the school, citing a number of accidents on the Black Road over the years.
"There have been two serious accidents in recent years outside the school one involving a pupil and the other a parent. There is an urgent need for traffic calming along the Black Road,” an agent for Tipperary ETB said.
"The school currently has a visually impaired student and a pupil who is a wheelchair user. An accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) is required to promote safe independent road crossing. A signalised pedestrian crossing will not only ensure the safety of pupils, staff and visitors to the school but also local residents and general road users,” the agent added.
50 car parking spaces will be provided as part of the project, to cater for the school’s 360 students and 29 staff members.
Tipperary County Council decided to grant permission for the new school extension, subject to eight conditions.