Plans for a housing development of 157 units on the site of the former St Joseph’s High School in Coleraine have been approved.

The application, which was given the green light by Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, is for 157 units “to include demolition of former St Joseph's High School, open space provision, landscaping and all other site works”.

The development, by applicant Sean O’Kane, also includes 92 units for social housing provision.

The address for the development is given as “lands associated with former St Joseph's High School, Beresford Avenue, Coleraine, BT51 1HJ and Phase 2 of Earls Gate Housing Land (housing zoning CEH 25), Mountsandel Road, Coleraine”.

Plans for the site of the former St Joseph's High School in Coleraine.

placeholder image — Plans for the site of the former St Joseph's High School in Coleraine.

A Design and Concept Proposal submitted at the time of application said the proposal “ is built around maintaining and enhancing beneficial design features of the site such as the permeability provided by the existing entrances to the site as well as wider links with the surrounding road network and ensuring all pockets of mature trees are retained on the site for landscaping, biodiversity and amenity reasons.

"The design has sought to create a suitable buffer with existing housing at Grange Road through the location of open space to ensure a quality residential environment for both existing and proposed residents and to minimise concerns of overlooking."

The proposal continued: “More than 15% of the site area will be set aside for the provision of public open space to serve the development and both hard and soft landscaping will be used throughout to create a high-quality residential environment.

"The design will be in keeping with the new build developments in the surrounding area.”