This article is from page 12 of the 2007-12-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
IF THE go-ahead is given for plans to convert a former convent build- ing into an apartment complex, it will pose a serious risk to the safety of children attending Scoil Muire in Ennistymon, according to its parents’ association.
The association were responding to an application by Thomas Fitzgerald of Banna Developments to transform the “Old Convent” into 21 apartments along with 37 parking spaces.
The parents’ association, Scoil Muire, Scoil Mhainchin and the Dio- cese of Galway are objecting.
In their objection, the parents’ as- sociation point out that the roadway serving the development also serves the primary and secondary schools.
They state, “In the interest of safety, the school authorities have already taken the decision to restrict vehicu- lar access to the school to staff and emergency vehicles. They also em- ploy a traffic warden to enforce their decision.”
Demanding that the council refuse planning permission, the parents’ association state, “Any compromise to the safety of the children is unac- ceptable.”
Already, Banna Developments has been refused planning for a simi- lar proposal on the same site. The schools state that “the current appli- cation makes no significant effort to challenge this decision by substan- tially improving the traffic safety of the access laneway and that the de- velopment will endanger their pupils
and staff”.
The schools’ objection points out that there is a proposal to amalga- mate the three secondary schools in Ennistymon on a nearby site.
Sreysebweebeetcmmm dorsi mums elo Romr-VucwmEOL U0 Ee rently 430 students attending the two schools, the objection states that after the schools have been located, “there will no objection in principle to this development. In the mean- time, this proposed development is premature pending the relocation of the schools and should be refused by
the council”.
The Diocese of Galway point out that the proposal “is to use the pri- vate entrance roadway to the parish priest’s house, which is also used to accommodate Scoil Mhainchin and Scoil Mhuire, which entrance is ab- solutely and totally within the own- ership and control of Galway Dioc- esan Trustees.”
The diocese claims the develop- ment would create a traffic hazard and be contrary to the proper plan- ning and sustainable development.