Plans lodged for extension at ‘beyond capacity’ Donegal school

PLANS for a major new extension at a Donegal secondary school, which is already ‘beyond capacity’  have been lodged.

The Board of Management of Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair have sought permission to a major new development to aid the bulging number of students.

Plans were submitted last week to Donegal County Council for the construction of an extension to include four new classrooms and a special educational unit.

“The extension to Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair is a necessary addition to service an existing demand on the school, which is already beyond capacity,” a letter to Donegal County Council accompanying the plans says.

“This is due to significantly increased enrolment over the past number of years and due to changes in the educational curriculum necessitating more hours of practical learning for home economics and science classes.

“A major part of the new extension is to provide special educational needs (SEN) accommodation to allow children with learning difficulties avail of a more tailored secondary school education locally.”

The new extension is a one-story building. Two-storey options were considered but not developed as this would have been ‘out of character’ with the existing school building.

Six additional parking spaces are to include one disabled space and one electric vehicle charging space.

The local authority say that a decision is due on January 20, 2021.