Angry residents feel hoodwinked by new secondary school plans

“The main issue residents have is the height of the building and the close proximity to our homes.

“All of the drawings we were shown were aerial drawings or from the front of the school… these didn’t portray the development to residents, we were hoodwinked.

“The school was also turned around [on the site] because of drainage problems we were told.”

He added: “Our argument is that they are not building [this school] to the plans shown to residents and to the planning permission provided.”

Another resident, who lives on Tynan Park Hall with her four children, told The Echo: “They were to build [the school] 51meters from my home to alleviate the noise from the daily running of the school. 

“This has been disregarded and it’s now 31meters from my house. 

“As well as that it is way higher than it should be.

“What they have built is completely different, we were so misled.”

She added: “They are putting a basketball court right at the back of my house [and] they want to erect six foot nets at my back wall to stop balls coming over. 

“Can you imagine the noise all day?

“I am devastated and so worn out trying to get someone to help us.

“I have 4 children and want this school more than most but not at the cost of my home and family life.”

Residents have also raised issues around construction crews working outside the permitted hours of 7am to 7pm, with locals claiming that builders are starting work from 6am.

Last week, a representative from ARPL Architects which, based in Scotland, won the tender for the school, met with residents on site.

When contacted this week by The Echo, the company said: “We were happy to meet with residents and happy to hear their concerns and we checked what is being built against the planning permission and it’s exactly the height it’s supposed to be and in the location it’s supposed to be in.

“In terms of the noise, we all have homes ourselves and we appreciate what they are saying.

“There are strict guidelines for the contractor [in relation to working hours] and we have re-iterated these to the contractor.”

ARPL told The Echo that it checked its planning permission with South Dublin County Council and that no issues were found, with the company suggesting that any further issues around the planning granted would need to be taken up with the local authority.

When contacted by The Echo, South Dublin County Council said that they raised residents’ concerns with the Department of Education and Skills, which responded to the council following the architect’s meeting with residents.

According to information provided to the council by the Department, it is not the case that the gable of the sports hall is closer to the properties than led to believe, with the as-built hall located “in accordance with the drawings submitted and approved for planning consent”.

In relation to the building and specifically the sports hall being taller than residents were led to believe, the Department assured the council that this was once again “in accordance” with the approved planning drawings.

Concerns around working hours and construction noise was also raised, with Glasgiven construction “insisting” that no works were commencing before 7am.

However, they did acknowledge that works had taken place after 7pm on a number of occasions.

Glasgiven also took note of specific concerns around early morning noise, which they “agreed to review”.

According to the council: “We have reiterated to Glasgiven that any future works which may require operations outside the hours of 7am – 7pm should be agreed in writing with the council in advance of the works taking place.”