Complaints about unauthorised development at Mayo school site

PLANNING concerns have been raised around development at the former Scoil Padraig site in Westport.

Complaints have been made about unauthorised development at the site, with an enforcement file on the matter now 'closed'.

Councillor Peter Flynn, at a municipal district meeting, said there's no planning file from the Department of Education, who are readying the building for use by the Sacred Heart School.

Elected members have continually stressed their upset at Holy Trinity NS being blocked from progressing their plans for a new school on the site.

Hoarding is up and no one knows what's going on behind it, said Councillor Flynn.

There has been changes to an access gate, with vehicles now accessing out onto a busy road.

As far as he was aware, no planning file has been received and after complaints were made, he received a response saying an enforcement file has been closed.

He requested a report on this, including manager's orders, but has received no response.

Councillor Flynn went on to question the future viability of the Sacred Heart School, noting its intake of just 10% of the local school population this year.

He requested the director of planning enforcement attend their next meeting, setting out the rationale for giving an exemption for unauthorised development and why the file was closed with no explanation.

Councillor Brendan Mulroy said the Holy Trinity situation has gone from shocking to embarrassing.

Every religious group in Westport was supportive of the Church of Ireland school, who were very much 'our friends, neighbours and fellow brethren'. They were even sharing the Catholic church at the moment, which had worked the opposite way in the past.

“It's time the Department of Education stepped up and solved this problem for once and for all,” stated Councillor Mulroy.

Seamus Ó Mongáin, municipal head, said the office has referred the matter to enforcement and they conducted their own investigation.

Councillor Flynn pointed out that the manager's order put 100% responsibility for safety on the MD head.

If there was an accident, Mr. Ó Mongáin would be personally held liable for the situation down there, he stated.