Plans for extension to Kilronan Special School in Magherafelt approved by Mid Ulster councillors

The planning application was lodged by Gravis Planning, Holywood, on behalf of the Education Authority.

As part of the plans, the existing greenhouse and store are to be demolished, and the existing roof and gable wall made good.

The existing sensory mobile unit will be relocated to the back of the site, adjacent to an existing mobile classroom.

In addition, the existing polytunnel will be relocated outside of the proposed extension site.

A direct access will be provided from the primary classroom to the existing WC / hygiene room facilities.

Likewise, a direct access will be provided from the school corridor to a shared sensory room.

The existing toilet block will be upgraded to become a shared hygiene room with hoisting provisions.

Additional provision will include a shared art/technology classroom; a shared drama/music classroom; a shared Home Economics/Science classroom; an Autism Spectrum Disorder support suite; rebound, sensory total immersion therapy rooms; nurture and life skills rooms; a central shared classroom resource area; a shared post-16/IT space.

The extension will cater mostly for the older pupils and will become a dedicated senior/transtion wing of the school.

A pre-community consultation event was carried out at Kilronan School in June 2023, and feedback was very positive.

As part of the upgrade scheme, the existing mobiles will be removed off site.

In their determination sheet, the Education Authority state: “[Regarding] the size of the development, it is though that the impacts will only be experienced in the immediate vicinity, with impacts diminishing the further you get from the development. Any mitigation can be dealt with under the normal rigours of a planning application.

“The cumulative environmental impacts with other properties/developments are thought not to be significant.

“The proposed land use is in keeping with the existing environment, and the environment is thought to have the absorption capacity to cater for a development of this size, scale and use.”