Planning permission has been granted for the long-awaited new-build St Malachy’s Primary School in Armagh.
Proposals by the school trustees and Hamilton Architects to knock down the old building and replace it with a new-build have been rubber-stamped by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
The existing school on Chapel Lane will make way for a new state-of-the-art building, which will consist of seven classrooms over two storeys.
The work will be carried out in three phases and will mean the school site will be largely out of bounds during the construction process.
Last week, St Malachy’s Primary School confirmed to Armagh I the school would be moving to the former St Brigid’s High School site to facilitate the construction of the new building.
Armagh I revealed in February 2023 that plans for the new school had been submitted to ABC Council.
The new-build, in addition to boasting seven classrooms for teaching purposes, would also include the associated and required facilities, including school meals accommodation, library, multi-purpose hall, resource area, staff accommodation and support accommodation.
It would also see the introduction of a courtyard at the centre of the school teaching accommodation.
When complete, it would offer a significant increase in size for school facilities.
While workforce numbers would remain the same with 22 staff on the books, the new school would see the existing available floorspace of close to 12,500 sq ft climb to over 17,500 sq ft.
Other works include boundary treatments, infrastructure, car parking and landscaping.
According to the Development Management Officer’s report, a letter of objection had been submitted to the intended removal of existing public parking bays at the site entrance along Chapel Lane.
The officer said a revised solution was tabled, proposing four public parking pays at the site entrance.
Read more: St Malachy’s PS to move to former St Brigid’s site in Armagh as new-build decision imminent
