Permission has been granted for the erection of a new modular unit at Christian Brothers’ PS, Keady Road, Armagh, to include three classrooms, in lieu of an old one which is to be removed at the far end of the school site.
NI Education Authority project manager, Jonathan Donaldson outlined the plans as follows in correspondence to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI): “The intention at Armagh CBS is to propose the demolition of an existing old mobile on the site. This mobile has reached the end of its usable life and has no working toilet.
“The replacement triple modular unit that is proposed is to provide accommodation for the Irish-medium stream and an upgrade to Special Education Needs (SEN) within the school.
“I understand the school is currently using a hall and storeroom for the P6 class, which is having to be relocated regularly depending on what is required and when, etc.”
Meanwhile, a separate planning application for additional car-parking capacity at the school site was also approved.
ABC Planning officers outlined the plans as follows: “This application seeks full permission for 20 additional carparking spaces on an existing shale area at Christian Brothers Primary School.
“The proposed parking spaces will be located at the southern end of an existing gravel playing field sited adjacent and immediately north of an existing car park within the school’s curtilage.
“The site layout plan indicates three existing parking spaces will be removed to improve internal traffic flow. The parking spaces proposed under this application will cater for increased parking demand arising from the proposed modular classroom.
“It is therefore necessary to meet the needs of the community in terms of education and in this regard is considered compliant with [the relevant] policy.
“Officers are satisfied the proposal is acceptable as an exception, in that the retention and enhancement of the school can only be achieved by the proposed development of this small area of the existing gravel sports pitch, to provide required parking for a new classroom.”
