An Spidéal Creative Campus

PLANNING

An Spidéal Creative Campus

MKO secured planning permission for An Spidéal Creative Campus on behalf of our client Fiontar na Greine Teoranta. The new Campus will provide a cutting-edge educational and training facility for the Irish language media sector, alongside new amenities for the local community. This includes a new Civic Centre with a public library, a digital media education and training hub, and a public facing film and music digital archive. The former Naomh Einde convent will be restored and repurposed as student accommodation, in a nod to its historic residential and institutional use. The Campus will help to build on the existing wealth of film, media and artistic talent in An Spidéal, strengthen the village’s character, and create a community space which can be enjoyed for years to come.

Project overview

Located in the heart of An Spideal and home to the former Naomh Einde Convent, a registered protected structure, the site’s infill nature posed numerous challenges. First among these was protecting the former convent, which is a key part of the An Spidéal Architectural Conservation Area. Assessing the visual impact of the new Civic Centre, and ensuring the respectful restoration of the former convent was integral to the design and justification of the development. In addition, the discovery of a bat roost in the attic of the former convent required detailed surveying and the integration of mitigations into the development. In addition, constraints relating to parking, the presence of sections of Flood Zone B at the rear of the site, and the elminiation of existing deficits in road safety and the public realm in the area all had to be accomodated. The development also needed to meet the the stringent sustainability requirements for public buildings. Biodiversity friendly landscaping and gardens, SuDS measures, rainwater harvesting, and solar panels ensure the site will help to meet the targets in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan.

Main services provided

01

Planning

MKO led the multi-disciplinary design team through the planning process including pre-application engagement with Galway County Council, preparation of the planning application, and the first party grounds of appeal to An Comisiún Pleanála.

02

Environmental

Preparation of a Construction and Environmental Management Plan and advice to the design team.

03

Landscape and Visual

Creation of a verified view photomontage booklet to illustrate the development in the receiving environment, and assist in visual assessment of the proposal.

04

Bat surveys

Specialist roost inspections, activity monitoring, and mitigation advice to support the Naomh Éinde development, including guidance on best‑practice design measures and NPWS licensing requirements.

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