“There are still a few obstacles to overcome” says Power
A campaign to get proper school facilities for children with special needs in the Drogheda area has been ongoing for many years but at last permission has been granted for a new school building for St. Ita’s and St. Mary’s special needs school to be built on the Cement Road.
In May 2018 Minister for Education, Richard Bruton said the project to provide permanent School Buildings for St Mary’s & St Ita’s Special Schools was included on his department’s five year plan.
A site was identified and agreed in principle with the landowner was reached on the acquisition of circa 2.143 ha site at Cement Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
This week the green light given by Louth County Council to the Department of Education in awarding planning permission for the new school building for St. Ita’s and St. Mary’s special needs school on the Cement Road.
Drogheda Rural Independent Councillor Declan Power has welcomed the news saying that this state-of-the-art school that will make a massive difference to the students with special needs and their teachers. He warned however that there are still a few obstacles to overcome to make this happen.
“It is important to note that only 70 car parking spaces will be allocated for this school instead of the reported 144. Land has to be sought by the Department of Education from Killineer Pitch and Putt Club to provide extra spaces.
“I have been involved with these negotiations for the last three years with all stakeholders, including the Department of Education, Killineer Pitch and Putt Club, Irish Cement, our legal team of Feran’s solicitors Louth Co. Council.
“The work that Killineer Pitch and Putt have done has been phenomenal, and they are committed to ensuring that the Department of Education get what they are looking for. The issue has been the extra land, ownership and whether we could get into lease agreements, land sales, etc,” explained Cllr. Power.
Irish Cement has owned the well-known Pitch and Putt Club since the early 1960s, long before Killineer Pitch and Putt Club was formed in 2019 and taking on the sporting lease for 99 years.
“This is where the issues have risen, and though nothing has been fully agreed upon, I’m confident we will have some resolution within the next month or so with agreements that will be satisfactory to all concerned.
“I look forward to updating the public on these developments in what is an inspiring and exciting project for St. Ita’s/St. Mary’s and Drogheda,” said Cllr. Power.
