Major development at Loreto Community School in Milford gets the go-ahead

Loreto Community School in Milford has been granted permission for the development of a new school building.

Donegal County Council has given conditional planning permission for the construction of a two-storey building that will span almost 2,000 square metres.

The building will house 11 new general classrooms as well as special teaching rooms for science, art and business studies.

New offices, toilets stores and plant rooms are also included in the plans. A first-floor bridge will link the new building to the existing premises.

In 2019, the then Minister for Education, Joe McHugh, confirmed that Loreto CS were approved to proceed with the project 

The new building will be topped by roof-mounted solar panels. In the application, there is provision for all associated site works to include new landscaping, external steps to existing grass play and site development and service infrastructure works

In November, the local authority sought further information over proposed footpaths, cycleways and car parking facilities. The applicant was also asked to provide further information in relation to drainage.

The Belfast-based Kennedy Fitzgerald Architects LLP responded on behalf of Loreto Community School.

“The footways shall provide universal access between the ASA Extension and existing school building and shall connect to the adjacent existing pedestrian paths,” the response said.

“There are no proposals to provide additional cycle facilities that would be directly associated with the proposed ASA extension.”

The company outlined that the current school enrolment is 811 students and the submitted planning application indicates an anticipated maximum occupancy of 820 students.

The response added: “The school is satisfied that existing car parking facilities meet current and anticipated future demand and there is no envisaged increase to bus requirements as a direct consequence of the proposed ASA extension.”

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Donegal County Council granted permission, subject to 12 conditions.