The Brothers of Charity have submitted plans for the construction of a new special needs school in Renmore.
The proposed school is meant as a replacement for the existing Rosedale school for children with special needs.
It has been designed as a single storey building in Woodlands Centre Renmore covering 3,640m².
The Woodlands Centre campus is already home to a number of services run by the Brothers of Charity aside from Rosedale school.
Rosedale school provides educational services for children with special needs from 6 to 18 years old.
It operates under a partnership between the Brothers of Charity and the Department of Education.
Each student has an ‘Individual Education Plan’ based on the abilities and learning objectives.
The new school is designed to work in two sections, one for pre-school pupils and one for students up through secondary level.
Included in the plans are 14 regular classrooms, specialist classrooms, therapy rooms, a dining space, and medical and laundry facilities for the children.
Since the majority of Rosedale students arrive by way of specialist buses, the design also includes a drop off point with room for eight mini-buses at any one time.
The main access for vehicles would be through the existing entrance to Woodlands Centre campus on the Dublin road, but the design includes plans for improved pedestrian access.
As the special needs pupils at Rosedale are particularly vulnerable, the plan includes a two metre high boundary wall is intended for the site to ensure their safety.
Other amenities to be included in the new school include a fenced play area and a sensory garden which will also play a role in the children’s education.
Children would continue to attend the existing Rosedale school while construction is taking place until the new facilities have been signed off on.
A decision is due from Galway city council on this planning application by early February.
