Raphoe Community Playgroup applies to rebuild condemned defective blocks facility

Raphoe Community Playgroup has applied for planning permission to demolish its building, which was condemned earlier this year due to defective blocks, and build a new facility.

The community playgroup has been in operation since 1982 and moved into a new building  in 2000.

The not-for-profit organisation was told in March this year that the building contained defective blocks and it would have to be condemned.

As the childcare facility is classed as a commercial building, it is not covered by the defective concrete blocks grant scheme and the group has been unable to source funding from any government body.

The playgroup has been forced to move out of the building due to it being condemned and a campaign was launched in March to raise €1m to rebuild the facility.

Representatives of the playgroup met  Taoiseach Simon Harris earlier this month during a visit to Donegal and they say he has pledged his support for a rebuild of the facility.

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Planning permission is now being sought for the demolition of the existing childcare facility at Castle Road in Raphoe and the construction of a replacement facility. 

The application also involves the relocation of an existing portacabin with connection to existing on-site services and all associated site works. A decision on the application is due in January.