Plans for a major extension to Lisanally Special School, in Armagh have been given the go-ahead.
The six-classroom extension, designed to replace temporary accommodation, will include a social room, a library, a resource room and other ancillary facilities.
Also on the cards are new school offices, store rooms, toilets facilities, a drivers’ room extension, interior and exterior alterations, associated site works to include the provision of landscaping works, diversion of an existing culvert, the installation of solar panels and alterations to the internal road network, while retaining the existing car park.
The application by Juno Planning and Environmental Ltd, Belfast, on behalf of the Education Authority, was approved at the March planning meeting.
Presenting the application, principal planning officer, Sinead McAvoy explained that the plans came with a strong recommendation for approval.
“Officers are of the opinion that there’s a clear need for this proposed development, to provide much needed specialist teaching spaces within an existing school,” she said.
“The parking access meets all required standards. There’s ample parking to serve the proposed development, and [there are] suitable arrangements for the effective movement and circulation of traffic to and within the site.
“The development will be curtailed within the existing school site and there’ll be no additional extension into the open space area.
“The reconfiguration of the car park has been previously approved in that location. It’s reconfigured to allow for buses, etc., to turn within that area and then back down.”
Juno Planning and Environmental Ltd representative, Orlaith Kirk commented: “We’re delighted the application is recommended for approval, with no objections from statutory consultees.”
Andy Priest, from the Education Authority, was equally upbeat about the plans, adding: “The school is delighted with the positive recommendation for the planning application.
“This will have a big impact on the school and will allow the school to remove some of the old – almost redundant now – modular buildings and it will bring some of the school back into the main school buildin.
“It will give us modern and well-equipped spaces for both the teachers and pupils.”
Committee member, Councillor Julie Flaherty (UUP, Portadown DEA) welcomed what was being proposed, although she noted that it would only meet current capacity: “From being there many years ago, there must be at least 10 modular classrooms used.
“I also note that this extension, if approved, it’s providing six classrooms, two playgrounds which is great for the children, special teaching spaces and room for the staff.
“Just to be clear about this, you’re not taking into consideration here any increase in the numbers, so you’re still working on the numbers of about 170-odd children, nearly the same staff – about 100 to 120 staff – so we’re only just meeting the capacity there is now.
“Is this enough of a future-proof for this school? The report’s fabulous and very detailed [about] optimising the space and experience for both these children and the staff, but if it’s only meeting capacity at the minute, what are the plans? Because we know the numbers are going up.”
The Education Authority representative replied: “This is just to meet the need as it sits at the moment. There will be future discussions ongoing, which I can’t really talk about at the moment, but this is just to get rid of some of the old modular buildings and bring the teachers and the pupils into the proper environment that they should be in.”
Committee vice-chair, Councillor Peter Lavery (Alliance, Lurgan DEA) welcomed the ease of movement which students and teachers alike will enjoy.
“It’s great news. When you see a special needs school with older mobiles exterior to the main school building, moving to be attached to that school building it creates a better community within that school,” said Cllr Lavery.
“It also allows students at the school, some of whom would have mobility issues, to move about the school in an easier fashion.
“It allow staff members to respond in a quicker fashion to the classrooms, should it be required if assistance is requested.
“So it seems to be a a long overdue application for Lisanally, which would have a big catchment area in in the borough, and even beyond the borough.
“So I think it’s good news for the school and the wider Armagh community as a whole. I would be obviously thinking that approval is the correct outcome in this case.”
Committee chair, Councillor Scott Armstrong (DUP, Armagh DEA) welcomed the school upgrade plans with enthusiasm: “We love to see good news stories and especially for schools such as Lisanally.
“I think I could probably speak on behalf of everyone that this is a very positive application, one we’re very excited to see progress, and if this is the first stage, I think we’ll all be very happy to see where stage two, three, and four go.”
