Plans approved for €16.1m Curragh Community College in Kildare Town

Permission has been granted to the Department of Education and Skills for the construction of a €16.1m post-primary school at the former Magee Barracks in Kildare Town, to be delivered in phases.

According to Construction Information Services (CIS), on January 31 2025 an appeal that was lodged with An Bord Pleanála upheld Kildare County Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the phased construction of a new two-storey, 37 classroom post-primary school (Curragh Community College) with a total floor area of circa 10,883.8sqm.

This included ancillary accommodation including an external bin store, electricity substation, external caretakers office, storage shed, heat pump enclosure, car parking, drop off, bicycle parking, grass playing pitch (to be shared with adjoining Kildare Town educate together and Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha).

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Also included were external ballcourts, including adjusted/additional ballcourts in the grounds of Kildare Town Educate Together and Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha, photovoltaic panels on roof, circa 135m length of access road from Melitta Rd, a service road connection off the existing access road to the south east of the site and all ancillary site development works.

Phase 1 of the plans will include the construction of c.4,982sqm of (two-storey) school accommodation incorporating photovoltaic panels on roof, 16 classrooms, specialist classrooms, sports changing rooms, fitness suite, temporary staffroom and gp hall / dining space (to be converted to specialist classrooms in Phase 2).

Also included in Phase 1 is ancillary accommodation including an external bin store, electricity substation, external caretaker office, storage shed, bicycle parking and two ballcourts and heat pumps. Phase 1 also includes a temporary permission for an interim school entrance on the south façade.

A temporary drop off and car parking area, a temporary school vehicular and pedestrian access off the existing access road to the south east and all associated site development works are also included (An Bord Pleanála Ref: 321159)

Phase 2 will include the completion of c.5901.8 sqm of (two-storey) school accommodation incorporating 21 classrooms, specialist classrooms, a general purpose hall, a pe hall, a special needs unit, library, staff room and all ancillary accommodation.

Phase 2 also includes 92 no car parking spaces, additional bicycle parking, an SEN garden, a drop off and a grass pitch area.

Also included are three additional ballcourts plus hard and soft landscaping to replace the temporary (phase 1) drop off and car parking to the south, adjustment of existing ballcourts and two additional ballcourts for Kildare Town Educate Together, adjustment to existing car parking and one additional ballcourt for Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha.

A service access off the existing access road to the south east along with circa 135m length of access road from Melitta Rd and all ancillary site development works also form part of the plans.

The architect in charge of the project is Simon J Kelly and Partners, and the tender deadline is May 30 2025.

Expressions of interest should be made until 4pm, May 30 2025.