Laois school's radical plan to expand into vacant petrol station site

A growing Laois primary school that needs more room for pupils and for road safety, has come up with a radical solution.

The Rock National School is asking the Minister for Education to buy an empty service station.

The vacant station and shop, along with a vacant cottage are on sale next door to the school, over a local road. 

The Rock NS with almost 200 pupils is one of several schools around Laois who were instructed by the Department of Education to add an additional Autism class this year, despite having no space on their site.

It is also on the busy regional road to Emo and the M7, with traffic safety an ongoing concern for many years.

While close to Mountmellick and part of its parish, the school and the station are in the Portlaoise Municipal District.

The school's plan was revealed at the Portlaoise Municipal District September meeting.

An official confirmed that a letter was sent by unanimous agreement of Portlaoise councillors to the Department of Education last June, asking for the purchase. 

The school has already written making the same request.

The letter sent from Laois County Council states that "should the site be acquired, the school have proposals whereby the lands will provide space for ongoing expansion of the school together with a safe, secure, parking area for staff and for parents whose children attend the school".

Three months on, no answer has come back from the Department.

Cllr Paddy Buggy said he is disappointed.

"This is a golden opportunity that shouldn't be missed. This is an accident waiting to happen. It's very dangerous there for parents and children. There is not enough room for expansion, but it is attracting a lot of kids. Now there is land available right beside it. It is up to the Government and the Department. They should purchase it, even if then can't afford to develop it yet," he said.

Read also: Former Laois pub with planning permission for takeaway goes on sale

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald agrees.

"Laois County Council have done safety measures, they've done everything they can. It is a golden opportunity to avail of this land and make the school safer for pedestrians, drivers and everyone in the vicinity," she said.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley proposed to now write to the Minister for Education, Helen McEntee with the request.