BREAKING: Kilkenny school set for major expansion as planning permission approved
A decision has been made by Kilkenny County Council
A significant expansion has been greenlit for Castlecomer Community School, located at Barrack Hill, Castlecomer, Kilkenny (R95 AF5Y).
The development will see the addition of a new two-storey standalone extension aimed at increasing capacity and improving facilities.
The new building will provide additional student and staff accommodation including three general classrooms, a home economics room, two design and communication graphics rooms, an art room, a textiles room, and a science laboratory with associated prep room.
Also planned are two staff offices, WC facilities, a locker area, storage areas, service rooms, and other ancillary support spaces.
As part of the associated works, the existing car park will be reconfigured. This includes new front gates (two vehicular and two pedestrian) and a repositioned front wall, set closer to the road.
A new set-down area layout is also planned, along with the diversion of the emergency vehicle circulation route to accommodate the extension.
Additional works include the development of a new car park area, changes to road layouts, paving, new site lighting, and landscaping.
A new LPG tank and electrical substation are also part of the proposal. A new boundary fence will be installed along the eastern side of the site.
The school will also benefit from sustainability measures, including ground-mounted heat pumps and roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels on the west-facing roof.
Provision has been made for EV charging spaces and a 20-space bike shelter.
Extensive landscaping is planned, particularly around the newly developed areas, including a row of screening trees along the western boundary near the extension.
The planning application was received in October 2024, with Kilkenny County Council granting permission on April 27, 2025.
The permission has been granted subject to 17 conditions.