An unauthorised extension to a local national school has been halted by Galway City Council after the planning permission on the site was questioned by a number of residents in the area.
Building works at St Nicholas National School in the Claddagh came under fire by locals last week after the extension was deemed to go against planning permission given on the site.
The planning permission for the school, which states the extension was set to be an autistic room and playroom, was granted on July 28. The initial application arrived to the planning offices on May 1, 2008 and stated that the extension was to be located at the back of the building away from the main road and out of sight of the residents.
However, when building began less than a fortnight ago on the side of the school along St Dominick’s Road, the residents became concerned. When the building appeared to be going up at a suspiciously rapid speed, the residents knew they had to speak up.
“They only started building last Thursday [August 28] and they are already roofing it,” said one concerned Claddagh resident, who said the building has caused great disruption to the lives of those who live nearby. “The planning states they can only work between 9am and 6pm but they start drilling at 7am and they go well into the night.”
After numerous failed attempts to get comments from the city council themselves Independent city councillor, and resident of the Claddagh, Catherine Connolly was made aware of the situation and approached the city’s planning committee.
“The city council has confirmed that it is an unauthorised extension,” said Cllr Connolly on Friday afternoon. “They have written to the principal asking that the work be halted and that the structure be removed.”
