Ownership issue delaying decision on future use of derelict school

The sorry state that the former St Fintina's Post Primary School in Longwood has been let fall into when there is such a need for community facilities in the village has been lamented in Longwood.

Last week the Meath Chronicle reported on the derelict state of the property and how ownership issues appeared to be delaying any decisions being made on the future use of the site.

The building has lain empty since the new secondary school- Coláiste Clavin- opened in 2017 and has been falling into further disrepair as the years have passed to become an eyesore in the centre of the village.

It was originally owned by the St Finian's Diocesan Trust but according to LMETB, the building was purchased by the then County Meath VEC in the 1960s.

LMETB CEO Martin O'Brien said: “LMETB are in the process of securing good title deeds to the property and once this is achieved, the board will make a decision on whether to dispose of the property or determine its future use. We understand that the building was purchased by Meath VEC in the 1960s from St Finian's Diocesan Trust but there does not appear to be title deeds available for the property.”

St Finian's Diocesan Trust has not yet responded to our query in relation to the property.

Local councillor Joe Fox is urging all parties involved to come together and “sort it out” saying the site could be put to community use.

“This is a valuable piece of land that could be put to good community use, right in the middle of Longwood village. This needs to be sorted. There is a need for community facilities in Longwood and for car parking.

“That school was there from the 1950s until the new school opened and generations of Longwood people went to school there. It is such a pity to see it falling down.”

He said the fear is that it will start attracting anti-social behaviour as with any derelict site, and said that it needs to be sorted sooner rather than later.

“There are a lot of good things happening in Longwood. There is a playground going in on the green and there are two very good schools. This site is ideal for some sort of community facility and there is a need for parking too.”

When the Meath Chronicle shared its story from last week's paper on social media, many locals voiced their sadness at the state the property had been allowed fall into and gave their suggestions on what use it could be put to.

One person commented: “Such a shame, so sad to see it in this state. How many early morning basketball games were played there? Many good memories of the brilliant teachers, and fellow pupils,” while another said: “So sad to see my old school in such a bad state”.

Another wrote: “I graduated in 2004 from this school and have not really seen the place since I bought a house in Longwood last year, it's sad to see what it has become now in the space of 20 years! Hopefully something nice will be done with it to benefit the community.”

Among the suggestions for alternative uses for the site is the need for car parking, a proper bus stop and the possibility of locating the proposed playground there, though plans are in train for the playground to be built on the green at the other end of the village.

“As well as a village carpark, bus stop/ shelter and children's playground there will also be in time a need to extend our parish cemetery... plenty of space at the rear of St Fintina’s,” said one comment.

“A car park for the village and put the playground up there as well,” suggested another.

“Parking and bus station would be nice. Tired of cars parking on the roundabout causing hazard,” said another.

“Such a valuable site for the community of Longwood. Do not allow property development here. Enfield has absolutely no green sites for development. I always thought Longwood has so much potential for community development,” another comment read.

“The premises should have been and should still be made available to the community. The question is why was that not done,” wrote another.