A primary school in the Shankill area of Belfast is to get 21 new classrooms after a major extension received planning permission.
Elected members at the Belfast City Council Planning Committee unanimously approved the Education Authority plan for Glenwood Primary School at 4-22 Upper Riga Street Belfast.
It will involve the demolition of the existing 1960’s three-storey block and caretaker’s house for the erection of a split level two-storey extension and refurbishment of the original school building.
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It will provide 21 classrooms, including four support classrooms, a nurture suite and a school canteen. There will be new boundary walls with railings, new landscaping and car parking, as well as new access from the Shankill Road and retention of existing access from Upper Riga Street.
There will be four temporary classroom units for the duration of construction work. There are no planned increase in pupil numbers as a result of the extension.
No third-party representations were received by the council. No objections were made from any statutory consultees. Belfast council officers recommended the plan for approval to elected representatives.
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The council planning report states: “The proposal includes demolition of the three 1960s era blocks to the south side of the site and a single storey block inside the courtyard of the quadrangle, as well as a caretaker’s house in the middle of the site. None of these buildings are listed.
“Policy states that there will be a presumption in favour of retaining any building and planning permission will only be granted where the building makes no material contribution to the distinctive character of the area; and the design quality of the proposed redevelopment is considered to enhance the overall character of the area.
“These buildings are of a functional design and of little architectural merit and public views are limited. As such they do not contribute to the distinctive character of the area.”
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