Plans to provide “much-needed” additional classroom space at Seagoe Primary School have been given the go-ahead.
An application for proposals for the school, at Seagoe Road in Portadown, has been considered and rubber-stamped by ABC Council’s planning team.
The development will provide in excess of 3,000 sq ft of additional floorspace at the popular local school.
It will see the provision of a new double bespoke modular classroom unit at the Church of Ireland maintained school, which moved to its present site 50 years ago.
Each of the two classrooms in the new unit will have adjoining sensory rooms. Other elements incorporate a hygiene room, break-out room and laundry room.
There would be both pupil and staff toilet provision, as well as a designated staff ‘base’, while the new accommodation would be accessed via a lobby, with the unit will also boasting storage facilities.
A new pedestrian gate will be placed at the top of a pathway to provide access to a new play area sited to the rear of the new unit, which will be enclosed by a high mesh fence.
There were no objections to the facilities being developed and a number of conditions have been laid down in granting approval.
Officials, in recommending approval, noted that the development will “not have any adverse impact on residential amenity”.
The classroom unit will be located in the southeast corner of the school site and there will no change to parking provision at the school.
The official planning report states: “Officers are of the opinion that the proposal is small scale, to facilitate much-needed additional classroom space, and in that regard the design in this urban space is deemed acceptable.”
When the plans were first lodged with ABC Council, the applicants sought a speedy determination.
It stated: “The proposed development directly supports the urgent requirement to place children, many of whom are currently awaiting appropriate provision in line with statutory requirements.
“The delay in delivery of this accommodation has a direct impact on these pupils’ access to education in an environment suitable to their needs.
“Given the time-sensitive nature and the knock-on effect this has on school capacity and inclusive provision, we believe this application warrants consideration for prioritised allocation. We hope senior officers will consider the educational and welfare implications that come with any delay.”
With the plans now approved, works can now proceed to address that urgent need.
