Cead Mile Failte for Gaelscoil

mayo | environment | news report

Friday November 11, 2005 16:54

by Parent - Gaelscoil

Chairman of the Pairc Na Coille Residents Association issues a Cead Mile Failte to Gaelscoile Na Cruaiche

Cead Mile Failte for Gaelscoil

Cllr Keith Martin, chairman of the Pairc Na Coille Residents Association has issued a Cead Mile Failte to Gaelscoile Na Cruaiche following the decision of Westport Town Councillors to sell a 2.5 acre site to the Office of Public Works which will allow the construction of a new Gaelscoil for the town on the Golf Course Road.

Following the sale of the land Cllr Martin said “Last year I gave an undertaking to the representatives of the school to assist Gaelscoil Na Cruiche in finding a permanent home. I didn’t think it would happen so quickly or so close to home; but I am delighted on both counts. I welcome this vote on the sale of the site with two provisions; that there is shared use of the school’s facilities with the community and that the school co-operate with the community in developing the Golf Course Road.”

Cllr Martin said “As a resident, as chairman of the Residents Association and as a councillor I welcome this development. The recent consultation was welcomed by the residents and the residents associations and the level of communication between the council and the residents has been excellent so far. There was some feedback from the residents on the plans at the two meetings and we identified the three concerns of the residents which were security, traffic and the use of facilities.

“Simon Wall, the Town Architect, is to examine the plans in order to deal with these legitimate concerns. I am confident that all three issues can be dealt with during the planning process and of course everyone will have the opportunity to make submissions and observations on the planning application for the school when it is lodged with the council.”

With regard to concerns raised by Cllr Myles Staunton concerning consultation and complaints from residents in the area about lack of notice for the meetings, Cllr Martin responded that his door was always open to his neighbours, that the residents all had his mobile phone number and that any individual who could not attend the meeting can and could contact him anytime. He added that if anyone wanted to see the plans or consult with officials that that could be arranged by him, the other councillors or directly with the Town Council.

Cllr Martin said he had one final provision and requested a meeting with representatives of the school to discuss the issues such as the residents concerns such as traffic and to explore the possibility of bussing the pupils to and from the school to cut out any traffic congestion.

Cllr Martin observed that “It is important to highlight the massive difference that two playgrounds, walkways, a playing pitch, the use of basketball and volleyball courts and a green area will mean to the area. Having a first class school in the area is also a huge benefit. These new facilities will establish the Golf Course Road as the high standard for other areas and other local authorities to aspire to.

“As a resident of the area I look forward to welcoming the school and working with the school to develop our shared community. This development was much needed and it is now much welcomed. If the council had not been able to generate the revenue from this sale it would have taken the council 25 years to provide these facilities. I look forward to work starting on this area immediately.”