Planning permission sought for new two-storey sports pavilion at Ballymena Academy
A planning application has been lodged with Mid and East Antrim Borough for a proposed new two-storey sports facility at Ballymena Academy.
The Galgorm Road school is seeking permission for construction of a pavilion, re-cladding of an existing fitness suite and car park upgrade.
A planning design and access statement, submitted with the application, says the proposal seeks to provide “modern sporting facilities that are fit for purpose to replace the existing temporary facilities on site”.
There are three modular buildings at the location. The plan seeks to replace two of these whilst the third, a fitness suite, will remain.
Plans are for a main sports hall, changing facilities and offices on the ground floor while the first floor will provide a gym, flexible teaching rooms, kitchen and a terrace overlooking the school’s playing pitches. A lift will connect both floors.
Footpaths will be provided to link the proposed pavilion with the hockey pitches, the fitness suite, the main school building and car parks. Access will be provided via existing internal roads with car parking as existing and coach lay-by.
It is noted parking demand expected to be generated by the pavilion will be “accommodated within the existing on-site car parks, which provide sufficient capacity for both school and community use”. Turning areas and coach drop-off provision will be maintained.
The report also said: “This planning, design and access statement has demonstrated that the proposed sports pavilion at Ballymena Academy has been carefully designed to respond to the specific characteristics of the site, the needs of the school, and the wider community.
“The proposal replaces outdated temporary structures with a high-quality, permanent facility that enhances the school’s sports provision while respecting the existing campus layout, landscape setting and surrounding environment.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it has not committed any funding to the proposed project, adding: “However, the school may pursue any other funding options which may be available to them.”
Ballymena Academy principal Stephen Black commented: “The school, having previously developed projects without Department of Education funding such as the investment in our sixth form centre and synthetic sports pitches, is exploring options to continue to provide the best possible facilities for our pupils and the wider community, but the time-frame has yet to be determined.”
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter