Planning approval sought for new £25m Antrim coast school building

The proposed new-look 800-pupil school will be built on the existing site at Tower Road outside Carnlough.

The existing extension to Garron Tower will be demolished and reduced back to the original listed building. It is proposed that stone salvaged from the demolition will be reused.

An application has also been lodged for the refurbishment of the pitches to allow for a multi use games area and a 3G GAA pitch.

The new buildings are to be located to the rear of the site between two retained listed buildings – Garron Tower and St MacNissi’s College chapel. A former stable block, the St Joseph’s building, will also be retained.

The new buildings are expected to consist of two blocks with a connecting canopy. The eastern block will comprise classrooms, home economics and PE facilities, library and dining hall.

A two-storey link block connected to the eastern block will include a central entrance foyer, multi-purpose hall and staff accommodation.

The western block will house art, science and technology and design departments.

On the ground floor of the original Garron Tower section will be sixth form accommodation and careers department.

Commenting on the building proposal, St Killian’s principal Jonny Brady has said previously: “We are all very excited about the new build and the impact it will have on our students’ educational experience and in terms of their own emotional well-being.

“To be part of a school community where there is the potential of a new build is for many of us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it will mean that the college will be a modern, well-designed and fit for purpose school which will have all of the modern facilities the community of the Glens and East Antrim deserve.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

Click here to read: Application for new build at St Killian’s College

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