Planning process starts for Drogheda Educate Together Secondary School

Parents, pupils and staff at Drogheda Educate together are celebrating today, as the Department of Education published planning notices for a new 1,000 pupil school

In the notice, the Department states its intention to apply to Meath County Council for permission to build the new pupil post-primary school at Mill Road, Colpe West, Co Meath.

The school community had expressed its frustration and anger that three years after the Department of Education pledged to build the permanent school facility on the east Meath site, there had been no progress in the provision of a permanent building until now.

The school is currently accommodated in temporary buildings on the site.

Rory Scott, a guardian of a student in fourth year said. “I am delighted with this news. We are looking forward to see it progressing,

"The Department now had two weeks to lodge the planning application, so it is looking good. We are hoping for the best after all these years."

In the Seanad last week, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell told Senator Sharon Keogan that the planning application would be lodged shortly.

"This is welcome news for the pupils of Drogheda ETSS, their principal and the teachers and parents," he said.

The proposed development will comprise of 43 classrooms, with associated laboratories and specialist classrooms, a multi-purpose hall, a physical education suite including a physical education hall, and all ancillary teacher and pupil facilities with a gross floor area of c. 11,302 sq m over three storeys.

Vehicular access to the site is proposed via a new priority-controlled T-junction located on the new link road to the southwest of the site. The proposal includes two pedestrian and cyclist access points, two pedestrian only access points, staff and visitor parking spaces and designated drop-off and set down facilities.

The development will also include the provision of an external storage building, a bin store, bicycle and scooter parking, vehicle and bus drop off/set down areas, internal access roads hard and soft play areas including six hard play court areas.

The school was at the centre of a major row in 2021, when it was proposed to temporarily locate the school to the grounds of St Oliver's Community College in Drogheda, which is a 40 minute journey away from its current site.

The proposal was met with angry opposition and a major outcry by parents, students and the local community at what they described as “a ridiculous decision”.

The Department of Education rowed back on its decision to relocate the school to Drogheda and said it had reached agreement in principle to purchase a permanent site for the school, which incorporates its current temporary site on Mill Road, so that a permanent building can be constructed at the school’s current location.