Fine Gael TD for Galway West, Brian Walsh, has welcomed a decision by the Galway City Council to grant a material contravention of the City Development Plan, which will pave the way for the development of a new primary school in Knocknacarra.
Plans for the construction of a new state-of-the-art school building for Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh had appeared to be in jeopardy as around half of the proposed site was located on industrial-zoned lands, which cannot be used for the development of educational facilities.
However, a proposal came before Galway City Council yesterday to pass a material contravention of the City Development Plan, which would allow the project to proceed in spite of the overlap on industrial-zoned lands.
The proposal was unanimously backed by the elected members, and the planning application in respect of the new primary school can now proceed uninhibited by the provisions of the Development Plan.
Deputy Walsh welcomed the decision as another stepping stone towards the construction of the long-awaited school, which will include 24 classrooms, a general purpose room, and special education facilities.
“Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh is a fantastic school that has continued to play an exceptional role in the community in spite of limited capacity and difficult conditions in recent years,” he said.
“The new building represents a bright new chapter in the school’s future, and I am very pleased that we have overcome this latest challenge as we edge closer to the development of the new school.
“It will be a wonderful facility for current pupils and staff, but it will also ensure that the future needs of the vibrant, young, population of Knocknacarra are met in the years to come.
“I’m very pleased that the importance of this project has been recognised by Galway City Council, and I am confident that there will be no further delays in proceeding to construction as quickly as possible.”
