Parents of more than 200 children at Sandford Parish National School, Ranelagh, Dublin, have expressed outrage over a decision by An Bord Pleanála to approve plans for a science and technology park beside the school. Frank McDonald, Environment Editor reports.
They pointed out that the only access route to the school and the proposed development is via a narrow road, just over four metres wide, with a footpath on one side only. At certain points, there is not enough room for two cars to pass.
Mr David Duffy, a member of the school's board of management, said the decision had "major implications for the future health and safety of our children" given that the science and technology park could bring an extra 600 commuters past the school every day.
The 54-unit development is planned by Frenchwood Ltd on the former site of the National College of Ireland, which it acquired in 1998 for an reported €13 million. Initially, it had planned to build 224 apartments on the site, but that scheme was rejected.
Having regard to the zoning of the site and its proximity to public transport, An Bord Pleanála said the latest scheme "would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity \ would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety".
Although the board laid down 14 conditions, none of them require widening the access road.
However, they include a requirement that the developers engage a "mobility manager" to promote alternatives to cars for commuter transport.
Its decision also requires the omission of two of the proposed blocks to protect the setting of Sandford Lodge.
This has been welcomed by local residents, but some complained the board had given a higher priority to a building than children's safety. Mr Duffy said the scale was still "so excessive" that planning conditions of any kind could not avoid serious disruption.
The surrounding area, which is a residential conservation zone, would also suffer air and noise pollution during the construction phase.
He said parents of children at Sandford Parish National School and nearby Gonzaga College accepted that some development would take place on the former NCI site, but they were totally opposed to the planned science and technology park on traffic grounds.
"The safety of the 214 pupils at the national school is the primary reason for alarm, as the proposed development will attract tremendous concern for the well-being of schoolchildren attempting to access the school on foot, bicycle and in their parents' cars."