By Ryan Sands
Discussions on the possible construction of 24 new houses on the site of the former St Mary’s Primary School in Glasdrumman are set to take place. In recent weeks, a PAD (pre-application discussion) submission – which allows potential applicants to discuss and receive advice on their proposal from planners prior to lodging a full application – for a potential Glasdrumman Road residential development was sent to the council.
Documentation submitted to the local authority states that the development would involve the “demolition of former school building to facilitate redevelopment of site for 24 dwellings with solar panels (including eight detached and 16 semi-detached), car parking, open space provision, landscaping and siteworks.” It is not yet clear who the applicant is.
A brochure for the 1.05-hectare site – published online by estate agent O’Connor Kennedy Turtle when it was up for sale – highlighted that it is “located in a rural setting close to the coast on the Glasdrumman Road, c. 1.4 miles from the picturesque seaside village of Annalong” and represents a “potential development opportunity.”
“The subject property comprises the former St Mary’s Primary School, which sits on an impressive site benefitting from views across the Irish Sea,” it read. “The school comprises a single-storey, red-bricked building with a flat roof. Internally, the building is laid out to provide a large hall, four classrooms, a kitchen and various storage/WC facilities. Externally, there is a large car park to the front of and side of the building, with a large flat L-shaped field immediately beyond this. The site has a flat topography and benefits from impressive views across the Irish Sea.”
The price was stated to be “offers in the region of £300,000.” Established in 1855, St Mary’s PS closed its doors in 2018 as part of a school merger in Lower Mourne.
