IT Tallaght gets green light for significant expansion

By Mary Dennehy

PLANNING permission has been granted to IT Tallaght for the on-campus construction of two educational buildings and an outdoor playing pitch, a significant development that could see the local college grow by an additional 2,300 students.

South Dublin County Council has granted permission for the construction of a four-storey multi-use building which will house the Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary Arts department, a technical development centre, lecture theatres and generic teaching rooms for all students to use.

As part of the application, permission has also been granted for a sport, science, health and recreation building with a sports hall and teaching space planned over two storeys, alongside roof plant areas and a grass playing pitch with flood-lighting, score boards and spectator seating.

The application signifies a bright and growing future for the local institute, and its commitment to Tallaght and the surrounding region – which is also set to benefit from the possible arrival of an additional 2,300 students into the area.

The college currently has 5,600 full and part-time students which could increase to nearly 8,000 if funding is now secured for the development.

The institute is currently working to secure funding, with management hopeful that something will happen on site in the next year.

Paul Campbell, ITT Estate Manager, told The Echo: This is a really positive development for the college and we’re all delighted planning has been granted.

“A lot of work has gone into this application over the past year and we hope that by this time next year something significant in terms of development will happen on site.”

He added: “If funding is secured, the development will significantly increase the size of the college and the number of students we can accept.

“It will also impact on developing courses and allow us to add courses.

“We’ll also be able to host our own events, exams and graduations here on campus, instead of having to use other venues due to a lack of space in the college.

“We’re really delighted with the permission and see it as hugely positive for the college and our local community.”

The new development is centrally located within the campus, to the east of the existing main building.