Mercy Secondary School extension approved

Plans for an extension to St Joseph's Mercy Secondary School in Navan have been approved by Meath County Council.

The Catholic Education Irish Schools Trust and the school's Board of Management have been granted planning permission for a new part three-storey, part single storey extension to provide five classrooms, specialist rooms, GP dining area, PE hall, toilets, stores and associated ancillary accommodation. The plans include a partial demolition of the existing school building to allow the connection of the new extension.

The development includes the refurbishment of, and the addition of a single storey extension to, the Mount Saint Carmel Building, a protected structure. It will also see the provision of a new soft play external area, landscaped external areas, additional car parking and all associated site works.

To increase the quality of life for the students and enhance the connection between the mainschool and the Mount Saint Carmel Building a number of external spaces are proposed to be used for outdoor learning.

The proposed development consists of two building extensions. The first extension is to the main building of the school and consists of a three-storey extension with various new rooms including a general-purpose dining area, fitness suite and large multi-use hall. This new extension ties into the existing building at two separate locations at ground floor level, with an internal courtyard formed between the two access points.

The second extension is to the Mount Carmel Building, south of the main school buildings. Works include demolition of a previous single storey extension which is in poor condition and construction of a new building with a different structural configuration