New canteen building and one-way traffic system plan approved for Ballymena school
Planning permission has been granted for the proposed partial redevelopment of St Louis Grammar School, Cullybackey Road, Ballymena.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee approved a proposal for demolition of a school meals block and construction of a replacement; demolition of a vacant caretaker’s cottage to be replaced with a landscaped open space; a new hard play area on the site of the current school meals block; replacement of windows in the existing three-storey teaching block; landscaping including a pedestrian plaza adjacent to the sports hall and technology block and reconfiguration of the front of the site to facilitate a one-way traffic system, additional car parking; bus and car drop-off areas and pedestrian crossing points.
A planning officer told the committee, which met at The Braid, in Ballymena, on Thursday (September 10), demolition of the caretaker’s cottage and school meals block is proposed to provide hard and soft landscaping areas.
The officer said that the demolition of the cottage would “result in improved visual amenity at the entrance to the site”. He indicated the proposed reconfiguration will reduce congestion at Cullybackey Road during school pick-up times.
He went on to say that the proposed new school meals block would be a two-storey triangular-shaped building The ground floor will comprise the main kitchen preparation area and storage with an entrance foyer and toilet facilities. The remaining area will accommodate a pupil seating area which has been described as “double height”.
A committee report said: “The development represents a significant investment in educational infrastructure and will contribute to maintaining and improving access to educational facilities within the town.
“The proposal makes efficient use of an existing developed site and associated infrastructure, thereby reducing the need for additional development on greenfield land.”
It also stated that the proposal would “alleviate the congestion on the town side of the Cullybackey Road by allowing buses to enter the site and reduce parking on the public roadway”.
“The introduction of upgraded on-site circulation and dedicated drop-off provision is to better accommodate the existing demand without altering the access point onto the public road network,” the report noted.
The officer said that it is considered the proposal “will not result in any significant harm to the character or siting of the listed buildings” – the St Louis Convent building and gate lodge and gates. He added the proposal is considered “acceptable”.
Larne Lough DUP Alderman Paul Reid noted that there are listed properties at the location and that HED (Historic Environment Division) is content to allow the planned development to go ahead with “sufficient distance” noted between the proposed building and the existing listed structures.
Ald Reid commented: “I would certainly welcome this. It is good for the school.”
Coast Road Sinn Fein Cllr James McKeown proposed accepting the recommendation to approve the application, which was seconded by Bannside DUP Ald Tom Gordon, who is also the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim. Following a vote, permission was approved unanimously.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter