Planning approval for new Irish school in Coalisland

MID Ulster District Council’s planning committee has approved an application to bring an new Irish language school building to Coalisland.

The application was lodged by Knox and Clayton Architects on behalf of Gaelscoil Ui Neill and seeks to demolish an existing building to erect a seven based primary school (single unit), nursery (single unit) and playground on the site of the community centre in Gortgonis.

It had been hoped the application would have be ready to present to the committee in June alongside two related applications, that were approved at the time, for the development of Gortgonis Leisure Centre and enabling works at the site which fronts onto the Gortgonis Road.

In June, Council’s head of planning, Dr Chris Boomer explained the delay in this application was the need to wait for a comment from Road Service in relation to it.

A report presented to members of Council’s planning committee at its meeting on Tuesday, July 5, recommended the application for approval and noted it has received one objection.

A proposal to accept the officer’s recommendation to approve the application was put forward by Sinn Fein councillor Sean Clarke and seconded by his party colleague and Council’s Chair, Councillor Cora Corry and this proposal was approved with the support of the chamber.

By Adam Morton