PLANNING Service have given the green light for the development of a new primary school in Ballyclare.
Despite receiving a number of objections to the scheme, planners this week approved outline permission for the creation of a new school on land at Doagh Road, beside the Highgrove housing development.
Speaking at Monday night's meeting of the council's Planning Committee, DUP councillor Etta Mann welcomed the approval decision, saying that the town is in need of a new primary school.
Alderman Paul Girvan also welcomed the decision to allow a ne
w school development at the Doagh Road site, but stressed that a detailed plan for the project still has to be drawn up.
"Ballyclare really needs a new primary school, there is no doubt about that whatsoever. However, while I would welcome this approval I just hope that the Department of Education doesn't drag its feet over this and moves forward with submitting a full, detailed plan as quickly as possible.
"Ballyclare is a growing town and I have no doubt that the Department will deem it necessary to put in place this new facility, and I hope that it will not be too long before we see the opening of this new school," he said.
A spokesperson for the North Eastern Education and Library Board confirmed that an economic appraisal of the project has been completed and is now being considered by the Department of Education.
He stressed that existing plans for a 20-classroom school costing in excess of £4 million are still subject to review by the Department.
The new school is being planned because of the excessive costs associated with refurbishing the existing Ballyclare Primary School building on the Doagh Road.
A Board spokesperson confirmed that as yet there is still no final design for the new school and no definite timescale for the project.
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