Approval for 'essential' extension to Roddensvale Early Years Centre in Ballyclare
A proposed extension to Roddensvale Early Years Centre has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
The campus is located at the former Upper Ballyboley Primary School building at Braepark Road, Ballyclare, while the main Roddensvale School operates at The Roddens in Larne.
Roddensvale opened the bespoke early years centre in October 2025 on the site at Braepark Road to offer nursery provision for pupils.
The proposed extension at the Braepark Road location is to provide two additional classrooms, ancillary accommodation, a new secure lobby at the existing entrance and a car park extension.
A development management officer’s report said the site is located within the countryside approx. 2.1 kilometres north of Ballynure.
It stated the application is for a single storey extension to the side/rear of the school, widening of the existing vehicular access and extension of the car park to the front.
The council report said the proposed extension at Braepark Road has been described as “fairly large in scale in comparison to the existing school”. It will be single storey in height.
“Given the existing use of the site, it is considered that the proposals do not have an unacceptable significant adverse impact on the rural character of the area.
“The vehicular access will be widened and the car park to the front increased in scale. DfI Roads have been consulted and have not raised any objections to the development with regards to roads safety,” the report noted.
A supporting statement submitted by the Education Authority said: “The proposal seeks to provide high-quality, specialist accommodation for early years pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN), supporting the wider Roddensvale Special School community.
“The extension is essential to meet increasing regional demand for SEN places and to ensure continuity of provision for children progressing from nursery into primary one within a familiar and supportive environment.
“Roddensvale Special School in Larne provides a stimulating, challenging, and supportive learning environment for children with a wide range of SEN.
“Demand for SEN places has increased significantly in recent years. Despite a five-classroom extension currently under construction at the main Roddensvale site (due for completion in late 2026), enrolment pressures continue to exceed available accommodation, parking capacity, and traffic management provision.
“To alleviate pressure on the main campus, the Education Authority (EA), in partnership with Roddensvale Special School, reopened the former Upper Ballyboley Primary School in October 2025.”
The EA report continued: "The proposed extension will allow these pupils to progress into primary one while remaining within the same familiar setting — a critical factor for many children with SEN, for whom stability and routine are essential to emotional well-being and educational success.
“The EA, with support from Roddensvale staff and pupils, has brought the site back into active educational use, preserving a valuable community asset that would otherwise have remained vacant.
“The peaceful setting provides an ideal environment for early years SEN provision, offering a calm, nurturing, and spacious location for children at the beginning of their school journey.
“The Education Authority and Roddensvale Special School are committed to providing the highest standard of early years SEN support, and this extension is a vital step in ensuring that children can access the specialist accommodation they require."
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter