By Ryan Sands
Long-awaited redevelopment plans for Kilkeel’s St Louis Grammar School, which would see its current building demolished, have been formally submitted.
The proposal for the Newry Road school was lodged with council planners in late September by St MacNissi’s Educational Trust. It includes the demolition of existing buildings and the erection of a new school, along with the development of two grass playing pitches, a 3G pitch, handball courts, a multi-use games area (MUGA), new access and circulation routes, car and bus parking, drop-off areas, landscaping, hard play areas, and other ancillary developments and associated site works. The plans also propose the removal of tree preservation orders (TPOs).
A demolition justification statement outlines the condition and history of the school’s 9.3-hectare site, which lies within Kilkeel’s settlement limits. The site includes a 1920s and 1930s accommodation block (the main school building) and a convent house—neither of which are listed buildings. A major extension was added in the 1960s, followed by more recent additions including an IT suite, technology suite, science laboratories, and mobile classroom blocks.
The document states that a recent condition survey found the school buildings’ overall fabric to be in poor condition.
“As expected, given parts of the buildings are 100 years old, there are signs of water ingress through flat roofs and solid walls,” the report reads. It highlights numerous level differences throughout the buildings, including the convent house, and notes the lack of lift provision, meaning the school does not comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) or current building regulations.
The report also raises health and safety concerns for pupils, staff, and visitors due to the deteriorating condition of the buildings. The cost of maintaining the existing structures is said to be significantly high, with intensive maintenance required annually.
An asbestos management plan dating back to 2004 identified asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the 1930s accommodation block, particularly in the ground floor corridor and several classrooms, with smaller areas found elsewhere throughout the school.
From a structural engineering perspective, the school is said to be “in poor condition for its age and type” and “contains some local problems and defects that are typical for buildings like this in this area.”
The report also criticises the state of the school’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, declaring them not fit for purpose. This includes the entire electrical and heating systems. Ventilation is provided naturally, with no mechanical ventilation or heat recovery systems. Although exhaust extraction systems are installed in toilets and sanitary areas, many were found to be in poor condition or not functioning.
Despite the scale of the project, a design and access statement accompanying the application emphasises that the new building’s architecture is “inspired by the local vernacular of its rural surroundings, creating a bespoke school facility that seamlessly integrates with its environment.” Sustainability is central to the proposal, with future-proofed elements intended to ensure the school’s long-term adaptability.
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