Reason for New Public Consultation

This public consultation supersedes that under Council reference number LA03/2021/0364/PAN submitted on the 20th April 2021 and accepted by Council on 23rd April 2021. The reason for this new PAN is because following internal design review with the Department of Education (‘DE’) and the Education Authority (‘EA’), there have been design updates to the proposed scheme. To summarise, the updated proposals now include:

• Accommodation of a full school meals area/kitchen facility, which was not previously included by DE/EA in their budgeting/parameters for this project. By introducing a dedicated services access immediately to the left side on entering the site, this effectively separates service vehicles from all other vehicles using the site. The change of level and proposed landscaping will screen this service area from the access road and car park.
• Pupil set-down located on the levelled upper part of the site, with the school building reoriented to better address this area.
• The overall site area has therefore increased southwards. This is a result of addressing the slope within the existing site, whilst seeking to avoid the use of retaining structures. This has been achieved by limiting the gradient of any banked areas to a slope of 1 in 3.
• Increased useable green play area, including a MUGA, in the southern extended area of the site, which brings the overall site’s usable areas in line with the schedule of accommodation in the current DE guidelines for a proposed new 7No. classroom school and 1No. room nursery unit.

Given these design changes, there has been an increase in the proposed development’s site area, necessitating a new Pre-Application Community Consultation (‘PACC’).

Details of School/Nursery Building 

The proposed development seeks to provide a single storey primary school and nursery unit building.  The school and nursery will comprise: 7No. classrooms; a playroom, a multi-purpose hall and a library.  It will also include several additional ancillary rooms, including administration and office spaces, student and staff toilets, external and internal storage areas, resource areas, school meals accommodation areas, multi-purpose rooms, plant areas and general circulation space. There will also be secure outdoor play space.

The orientation of the school and nursery, along with the natural slope of the landform, shelter it from prevailing south westerly and cold northernly winds. Classrooms face into the secure playground area with ancillary accommodation facing into public areas. The multi-purpose hall is accessible from the public area to allow it to be used after school hours for community events.

Building Finishes, Materials and Landscaping 

Materials Key: 1. Block Walls with Render & Paint 2. Aluminium Double Glazed Windows 3. Aluminium Double Glazed Curtain Walling 4. Reinforced Bitumen Roof Membrane 5. Rooflights 6. Blue Engineering Brick Base 7. Galvanised Steel Railings 8. Timber Fencing & Gates

Blocks of planting will be carefully positioned to provide an attractive local landscape setting for the school building with planting softening and framing views from the main entrances to the school building. 

Access and Parking 

Access is proposed to be taken via the existing road to Hightown Road, which is proposed to be extended to the school site.  Car parking will be provided, including disabled spaces, along with a set down/pick-up circulation area and a bus parking space.  

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Virtual Consultation Clinic

You can also register to attend our ‘Virtual Consultation Clinic’ that will take place via Zoom between 7pm and 8pm on Tuesday 16th August 2022, at which members of the design team will present and talk through details of the proposed development and respond to questions attendees may have. Prior registration is required. To register for attendance please email your request by 5pm on Friday 12th August 2022 to: paul@d-on.co.uk.

Online Public Consultation Exhibit

The ‘Online Public Consultation Exhibit will be available on the school’s website between 28th July 2022 and 31st August 2022.

1722-PAN-Presentation-2022-1

Further Details and Providing Your Comments 

Details and further information can be obtained from and comments can also be made direct to: Tetra Tech Consulting (NI) Ltd and d-on Architects Ltd until 5pm on 31st August 2022 via the following methods:

1. In Writing:

2. By Email: michael.graham@tetratech.com  (Tetra Tech Consulting (NI) Ltd) or paul@d-on.co.uk (d-on Architects Ltd)

3. By Telephone: between 9am-5pm Monday-Friday: 07788913797/028 9070 6069 (Tetra Tech Consulting (NI) Ltd) or 028 9024 8144 (d-on Architects Ltd)

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4. Online: via the email comment form below:

Online submissions for the Online Public Consultation Exhibit have now closed

Please note that any comments made to Tetra Tech Consulting (NI) Ltd or d-on Architects Ltd in respect of the proposals are not representations to the local planning authority.  If a planning application is subsequently submitted to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, public advertisement and neighbour notification will be undertaken at that juncture and you will have the opportunity to make a formal representation to the planning application at that time. 

Please note that in providing any comments on the development proposals you are agreeing for your personal information to be used in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements.