The green light has been granted for the building of a new three-storey primary school in Portarlington which could eventually cater for over 700 pupils.
The Education Minister sought planning permission to build the new three-storey building of Scoil Phadraig National School on a 3.7 hectare site on the Canal Road in the town.
Plans include 24 classrooms, a two class special needs unit, a general purpose hall, ball courts and project gardens.
Laois County Council has attached 16 conditions to its decision.
The land is owned by Portarlington Parish and a letter of consent is included in the application, signed by Rev Thomas Dooley PP, chairperson of the board of management of St Patrick’s Boys Primary School. It is hoped that the school will be opened by 2018.
In a traffic and transport assessment of Canal Road, compiled by Waterman Moylan Engineering Consultants, it was anticipated that by 2033 the school would have 720 pupils, with 50% predicted to travel by car and just 5% by bus, 35% walking, and 10% cycling.
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