Modifications to old St Pat’s School plan needed - Cllr

A NAVAN councillor is proposing a number of modifications to the plans for the old St Finian's/St Patrick's Classical school, following concerns raised about a wild area close to the historic building.

Cllr Emer Tóibín has put forward a motion to Navan Municipal Council proposing the granting of planning permission for the project subject to a number of new conditions.

Meanwhile, Meath County Council has commissioned a supplementary bat survey on the site, which contains a maternal roost.

Cllr Tóibín's motion called on the council to grant planning permission for the building's refurbishment subject to the proposed amphitheatre's relocation further south beside the ball alley, outside the conserved wildwood.

The motion calls for ground levels to be reduced in that area to provide sunken tiered seating, and the incorporation of a stage area at existing levels of the ball alley floor, and coordinated gradients and respite areas, for ramped pedestrian access.

She calls for the omission of the proposed exterior and instead bringing the gradient and different levels of ground to health and safety standards.

Cllr Tóibín's motions calls for the establishment of “ a cone of vision to the building from the town centre to the North, via a secure walkway, through the wildwood: utilising the services of a skilled tree surgeon.”

“This cone of vision shall be achieved by minimal judicious tree culling, (as recommended in the reports) and crown- raising of retained trees bordering pedestrian/ cycle entrance way.”

She calls for a detailed examination of architectural features and their reuse to be actively explored, utilising contemporary engineering techniques, such as flitch plating, cross bolting and use of cable stays. If that is not possible, that they be exhibited within the County Archive, within ‘Truth Windows’.

She calls for similar treatment for the building's Wyatt windows. Cllr Tóibín also proposes the provision of all vehicular access and circulation, adjacent the former Science Block, at the southern end of building, from the Railway Lands, and the existing laneway.

If that is not possible at the moment, she suggests the amphitheatre proposal be deferred and subject to a fresh planning application in a later phase.