Provision of Educational Facilities in Portlaoise
A Chara,
Re: Draft Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027
I have set out below my submission in relation to the Draft Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027.
Educational Facilities
I am requesting that some land within the NE area of Portlaoise be zoned in this Plan for a Primary School.
In Chapter 5 of the Plan, Quality of Life and Sustainable Communities, the following objectives are relevant.
EDPO 2 Ensure that existing and new school sites are protected for educational use
EDPO 6 Ensure the provision and implementation of primary and secondary education facilities in concert with the planning and sustainable development of residential areas in order to maximise the opportunities for use of walking, cycling and use of public transport.
There are 7 no. Primary Schools in Portlaoise listed below with locations circled in black on the attached map.
School Number of Pupils
Scoil Bhride, Knockmay 772
St Francis School 83
Portlaoise Educate Together 416
Maryborough National School 91
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise 356
Holy Family Junior School 655
Holy Family Senior School 743
Dept. of Education data.
Total 3,116
The Plan provides for an increase in future population. In the case of Portlaoise the Plan provides for a population of 25,000 in 2027.
This increase in population will include an increase in primary school children. For every increase of 1,000 population there will be 130 primary school children. Based on population estimates in the Plan this will be 200 additional pupils between now and 2027.
Some growth can be accommodated by the existing schools in the short term. In the medium to long term a new Primary School will need to be provided in Portlaoise.
I have identified 2 no. suitable sites circled in white on the attached zoning map. This area has more land zoned for residential development than the areas adjacent to the existing schools. It would be reasonable to expect more population growth in this area. These sites are in an existing community and would comply with the following objectives in the Plan.
SCPO 7 Increase accessibility to public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure within main residential areas with schools, community and sports facilities to encourage more sustainable modes of transport
Trans 11 Coordinates particular lands uses with their accessibility requirements
Trans 13 Encourage transition towards sustainable and low carbon transport modes, through the promotion of alternative modes of transport and “ walkable communities”
Trans 36 Encourage walking and cycling… provide a mix of land uses to generate short trip distances to combat sedentary transport patterns
These sites are zoned residential. I am aware that this zoning allows for provision of educational facilities. This residential zoning does not necessarily encourage/prioritise the need for educational facilities. If you consider that these sites are suitable for a school they should be zoned Community, Educational and Institutional. While this is a Plan for sustainable development and a transition to a low carbon society over the period 2021-2027 it should include measures that underpin long term development. Zoning for the next primary school is a measure that should be included in this Plan.
Yours sincerely,
Mary White