Waterford national school submits expansion plans

Expansion is planned at Passage East National School in County Waterford.

A planning application was submitted last week for the construction of a new single-storey extension to the west of the existing school building.

The school extension will provide essential classroom accommodation for special education teaching and facilities, with the addition of a two-classroom Special Needs Unit, two SET rooms, a central activities space and other ancillary spaces, such as sensory gardens and a safe base.

Planning reports outline that a key characteristic of the development is "the ability for the classroom space to be flexible, to adequately support pupils. There are no fixed partitions or immovable furniture, which do not provide the best environment for flexibility... the sensory garden is located in the space between the proposed extension and the existing school. This forms a sheltered and quiet environment."

Also planned is the demolition of an existing single-storey temporary pre-fab accommodation building and a service building.

Presently, there is no vehicular entrance or dedicated parking within the school boundary, with the exception of an access gate on the Crooke Road to provide access for maintenance and emergency vehicles. It is proposed to increase this opening width to provide safe access and construct a new car park with five spaces.

A decision on the development is expected from Waterford Council by October 10.