The lodging of the planning application for the new school for The Bish with Galway City Council has been welcomed by a city councillor.
Cllr Michael Crowe who has been an avid supporter of this development during his time on the Council said that “after many, many years, it was great to see permission for this development lodged with the planning section.”
The development consists of a 11,134 sqm school comprising classrooms, specialist room accommodation, Physical Education Hall/ Multi-purpose Hall, a two classroom Special Needs Unit, ancillary accommodation, five external Ball Courts, car parking spaces and bicycle storage.
“I am a proud Bish Alumni and have been a very strong advocate of this move for well over a decade now. I have supported the rezoning of lands on the campus of the University College of Galway in Galway City Development Plans in order to facilitate such a planning application.
“It is a very important move for The Bish. The many constraints that students and staff currently have to experience on the existing Nun’s Island site is not good. The building and grounds have not been fit for purpose for a long time.”
The new building will comprise a central part three-storey part four-storey central East-West block with PV panels on the roof with two part three-storey part two-storey lateral peninsula blocks each with ball courts on the roof along with the creation of a centrally located fiered amphitheatre space, courtyard gardens with extensive hard and soft landscaping.”
A new signalised junction will also be required with an access road and dedicated cycle lane providing entry from the N59 junction of Circular Road enclosing the development and terminating on Saint Anne’s Road with a North-South fire path enclosing the Eastern boundary and with pedestrian access from the N59.
“St Joseph’s College aka ‘The Bish’ is synonymous with Galway City and is what I would describe a part of the fabric of uniqueness that makes Galway a special place. This is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for what many people consider a very special educational facility and I hope it continues the very positive impact the school has had on so many students’ lives.” concluded Cllr Crowe.
