Milestone €5m+ college plan

After more than three years in the process, Tipperary County Council has granted planning permission for the largest ever extension to Newport College.

The expansion marks another milestone in the history of the school, which, more than half a century ago, carved a unique niche in the annals of educational history as the birth place of the ‘free’ national school transport scheme.

The decision, which was announced by the planning authority on Thursday last is subject to eight conditions and reliant on no third party appeal being made to An Coimisiún Pleanála within the appropriate period of time.

The planned extension to cost in the region of €5.2m is the largest ever applied for in respect of the college, which was originally built more than three quarters of a century ago to provide facilities within the area for third level study.

In the meantime the school has earned its place in the history books as the birthplace of the ‘free’ school transport scheme after the national scheme, introduced by the late Minister for Education, Donough O'Malley, who modelled it on the pilot scheme then being operated locally at the Vocational School at Newport.

The scheme initially provided hired transport for four pupils from outlying areas to study at the school, which was otherwise outside of their scope. The cost was jointly funded by Tipperary North VEC, parents of the benefiting students, and fund raising by the school.

The scheme had grown to three full size busses operating daily by the launch of the national scheme in 1967, at which point the local scheme transferred into the national scheme, with more than a decade of operational experience and growth at the time.

Enrolment has increased more than six fold over the decades with a number of extensions to accommodate the classes, but the planned current extension will be the largest ever for the school, now widely known as Newport College.

NEW DEVELOPMENT

The planned construction is a mix of 1, 2 and 3 storey buildings with a total floor area of 3,508m² over more than 20 rooms.

It will include 13 classrooms, eight specialist classrooms, one SET room, a two-classroom SEN unit with direct access to own outdoor play area and sensory garden, all necessary ancillary spaces, the installation of roof mounted solar PV panels, ASHP and two static water storage tanks (below ground).

It involves the demolition of one lean-to store (34m²) and 1 single storey prefab (162m²), the removal of a one & two storey prefabricated classroom block (1,042m²) together with site works comprising: alterations to lower the existing front boundary wall (for the extent of the proposed extension’) and formation of a new pedestrian entrance, adjustments to the existing staff car parking layout and the addition of new car & bicycle parking (with shelter) to the front of the existing main school building, all associated drainage & site development works, and improvements to the two existing vehicular entrances onto Black Road along with the provision of a temporary construction access onto the Black Road.

The requirement for the extension has been in the pipeline since 2023 and experienced delays due to the requirement to put funding in place.

The planning application was made last year to Tipperary County Council by Tipperary ETB and granted subject to conditions on January 8, 2026.

The progress has been warmly welcomed by Cllr Fiona Bonfield, chairperson, Board of Management; Donal Madden, Principal and Claire Sullivan, Deputy Principal.

Current Tipperary/Clare ETB CEO, Ms Clodagh Kelly, led significant growth in enrolment at the college during her tenure as a former Principal.