This article is from page 10 of the 2012-10-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
PRELIMINARY discussions have taken place between Ennis Town Council and landowners about the future development of the current site of Ennis National School.
It is understood that the council met with representatives of Eircom and other stakeholders located near the Kilrush Road site last month.
The site is zoned for commercial purposes under the current Ennis and Environs Development Plan. The land is owned by Ennis Parish.
Council officials, landowners and representatives of Ennis Parish have held preliminary discussions with the aim of developing an integrated plan for the overall development of the site. It is thought that individual planning applications would not receive approval.
A spokesperson for Killaloe Diocese said that these discussions would also involve the Department of Education and Skills, who own the school buildings.
Ennis parish administrator Fr Tom Hogan said the discussions between all parties are at a “very preliminary stage”.
Local councillor Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) said he would be concerned about the impact any development would have on the Kilrush Road area.
He said, “I know myself from parents trying to drop off kids at the school, it’s impossible to get back out onto the road with the traffic. You have a lot of residents too living on that road and they would have to be consulted as well. The residents there have expressed concerns over traffic.”
Ennis National School has been located at its current site since 1971. The school is expected to move to a new building at Ashline within the next two years.
The new site is a 2.34 hectare, fully-serviced, green-field site. The works project involves the construction of a new 32-classroom school including ancillary accommodation in an 18-month building programme. An extended school hall, dressing rooms, shower facilities and a pitch have also been incorporated into the plans.
These extra facilities will not be funded by the department so the school has set up a fundraising committee. Construction work has started at the site and is expected to be completed by September 2013.