Educate Together gets green light for school in historic building

AN Bord Pleanála has upheld the decision of Mayo County Council to grant planning permission to Educate Together to change the use of the former Castlebar Town Council offices, Marsh House, to a school.

The planning appeals body issued the ruling after considering appeals submitted by Councillor Frank Durcan as well as James and Margaret Keane.

Local Fianna Fáil Deputy Lisa Chambers has this morning welcomed the ruling.

She stated: “Marsh House is an historic building that has been lying idle since the town council was abolished and I see it as a fantastic use for the building to have a primary school locate there.

“I am sure the school will bring additional vibrancy to the centre of Castlebar and I want to wish school principal Sarah Calvey and her students the very best with the move.

'Having read the decision of An Bord Pleanala I am satisfied that they have address the concerns raised by councillors and the general public around access, parking, drop-off, use of amenities and safety.

“All stakeholders involved worked to resolve the issues in conjunction with the local community and I want to comment Educate Together, the local authority and the Department of Education for their work in this regard.

'We have a diverse community in Castlebar and educational choice for parents and children should be a priority for any community in a republic. It is great that Castlebar is in a position to offer that choice to and I have no doubt the school will thrive and grow.'

The school has been using temporary accommodation off Hopkins Road in the town centre since opening in September.

Now they will begain preparations for their move to Newtown next September.