St Louis Grammar School redevelopment approved in Ballymena
CGI showing an impression of the new building
Planning permission has been granted for the proposed partial redevelopment of St Louis Grammar School on Cullybackey Road, Ballymena.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee approved proposals including a new school meals block, improved outdoor areas and a reconfiguration of the front of the site aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion on Cullybackey Road.
New school meals block and play area
The development will involve the demolition of the existing school meals block and construction of a replacement building, while a vacant caretaker’s cottage will also be demolished and replaced with landscaped open space.
A new hard play area is planned on the site of the current meals block, while windows in the existing three-storey teaching block will be replaced.
Further landscaping will include a pedestrian plaza beside the sports hall and technology block.
The front of the school site will also be reconfigured to provide 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, that demolition of the caretaker’s cottage and existing meals block would provide space for new hard and soft landscaped areas.
He said removing the cottage would “result in improved visual amenity at the entrance to the site”.
The officer also indicated that the proposed reconfiguration would help reduce congestion on Cullybackey Road during school pick-up times.
Two-storey replacement building
The proposed new school meals block will be a two-storey, triangular-shaped building.
The ground floor will comprise the main kitchen preparation area and storage, along with an entrance foyer and toilet facilities. The remaining space will accommodate a pupil seating area described as “double height”.
A report presented to the committee highlighted the wider benefits of the development.
It stated:
“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.”
The report also said 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”.
It added:
“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.”
Listed buildings considered
The Listed Gate Lodge and gates and listed Kintullagh House, a convent house.
The planning officer said it was considered that the proposal “will not result in any significant harm to the character or siting of the listed buildings” at the site — the St Louis Convent building and the gate lodge and gates.
He concluded that the proposal was considered “acceptable”.
Larne Lough DUP Alderman Paul Reid noted the presence of listed properties at the location and said the Historic Environment Division (HED) was content for the planned development to proceed, with “sufficient distance” between the proposed new building and the existing listed structures.
Welcoming the plans, Ald Reid said:
“I would certainly welcome this. It is good for the school.”
Coast Road Sinn Féin Councillor James McKeown proposed accepting the recommendation to approve the planning application.
The proposal was seconded by Bannside DUP Alderman Tom Gordon, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim.
