Donegal secondary school seeks planning for major building upgrade

The Royal and Prior Comprehensive School are seeking planning permission from Donegal County Council for a new 2,240 square metre two-storey school building, containing numerous classrooms, a PE Hall, and facilities benefiting students with additional needs. 

The Raphoe-based school has submitted the application to Donegal County Council for the new building, which is to contain specialist teaching rooms for Science, Construction Studies, Engineering, Art, and Home Economics.

Also included in the proposals are Physical Education facilities, including a PE Hall, a Fitness Suite, changing suites, toilets, stores, and plant rooms.

A pair of special needs classrooms is within the plans, and associated support accommodation, including multi-activity, practical activity, and daily living skills. 

All associated site development works, including new landscaping, a secure play area and sensory garden for students with additional needs, relocation of ball courts, interconnecting pathways and associated site development and service infrastructure works are included. 

READ NEXT: Planning sought from Donegal County Council for eight Milford residential homes

Permission is also sought to demolish and remove the existing PE Hall and service infrastructure works, and the internal conversion of two existing science laboratories to general classrooms.  

A statement by Kenny Fitzgerald Architects, on behalf of the school, stated: “The proposed additional accommodation is housed in a primarily two-storey high building, and it is considered that this massing complements the massing of existing buildings and meets the objectives of local planning policy. 

“It is located immediately north of the existing main school buildings. This location offers the closest proximity to the existing school buildings within reasonable proximity to the school’s other existing facilities. Its location was the best solution through an options appraisal as it had the least disruption to school activities, minimal impact across the wider site and low impact on neighbouring views. 

“The new standalone extension will accommodate the existing school population. The new accommodation will improve the current educational facilities that have reached end of life, with temporary accommodation units and a dilapidated existing PE Hall that are to be removed as part of the proposed works.”

Currently, The Royal and Prior Comprehensive School educates around 600 students, having been established over 400 years ago in 1608 as The Royal School. The original school was built in Donegal Town but was relocated to Raphoe in 1661. 

In 1971, the school in Raphoe merged with The Prior School in Lifford. The Royal and Prior school was then constructed just outside of Raphoe.  

Donegal County Council has yet to announce a decision due date for the submitted planning application.