Concerns have been raised by a number of Galway city councillors about a proposal to rezone the site of one of the city's largest secondary schools from institutional to residential under the new city development plan.
The board of management at St Joseph's Boys' Secondary School on Nun's Island are currently in talks about the possibility of moving to a large site owned by NUI Galway at Dangan.
However, the principal, Mr Peadar O hÍci, said these were at a very early stage, and nothing had been signed or sealed.
A submission has been made to the draft city development plan 2005-2011 seeking to rezone the 0.543 hectares of land for commercial and industrial use on behalf of Mr Michael McLoughlin of St Joseph's Secondary School Redevelopment Initiative.
The city manager, Mr John Tierney, in his report on the submissions to the draft plan, said the commercial-industrial zoning requested was not considered appropriate in this predominantly residential community with its narrow street network, and a residential zoning was considered more appropriate.
In his report, Mr Tierney said: "The school is currently constrained on this site with no opportunity for playing-pitch and other essential facilities. Disposal of the site for more suitable uses could, it is argued, help fund a more suitable site and school premises."
The Mayor of Galway, Cllr Catherine Connolly, of Labour, and Cllr Niall O'Brolcháin of the Green Party were among those who highlighted their concerns about the change in zoning during a discussion on the submissions to the draft development plan by the city council. A vote will be taken on the issue over the coming weeks.
The city council has received more than 80 submissions to rezone a total of 210 hectares of land for residential purposes within the new city development plan.
However, according to Mr Tierney, the city already has sufficient lands zoned to service future housing needs up to 2011, with 380 hectares zoned residential under the draft development plan.
In his report on the submissions, Mr Tierney points out that the proposals to rezone 210 hectares of land for residential purposes would run counter to the strategic settlement policy proposed in the draft development plan.
A total of 202 submissions were made to the draft plan and have been considered and reported upon by the city manager. Now city councillors have until October 10th to consider the submissions and the manager's report.
Of the total number of submissions received, 109 relate to rezoning issues, and of these 84 relate to rezoning from recreation/amenity or agricultural to residential.
