A planning consultation event has been announced after plans were lodged in recent weeks for a new campus site for Slemish College in the south side of Ballymena.
The consultation provides an opportunity for the public to view details, including plans for this proposed development, provide feedback and to raise questions with members of the project design team.
The new site for the college is located on lands west of Ballee Road West and to the south of Clare Hill, Ballymena.
It has been a long time coming but for the students, parents and staff of Slemish College both past and present, the prospect of a modern, purpose-built, and fit-for-purpose educational facility is the prize for vision, dedication and determination to see our children educated together without religious division.
Hailed as Mid and East Antrim’s ‘first planned integrated post primary school’, the College opened in response to parental demand for an integrated college in the Ballymena area during heightened sectarian tensions in the town, and in particular the well-documented dispute at Harryville Chapel.
Gaining approval from the Department of Education in 1996, the College has grown from strength to strength to become one of the most popular schools in North Antrim, currently with over 900 pupils.
It is the success and growth at the College that have accentuated the need for a new facility.
Plans for the new build college were first published by Love Ballymena back at the beginning of February 2022.
Speaking to Love Ballymena at that time about the new campus vision, Mr Michael Bennett, Principal of Slemish College said:
“We are delighted with the plans for our new school campus, which will be located a short distance from our current Larne Road campus.
“The exciting new school campus will enable us to provide enhanced facilities and opportunities for our young people.
“We are thankful for the funding and the commitment from the Department of Education to grow and develop Integrated Education in the Mid-Antrim area.”
A public consultation event will be held on Tuesday 28 June between 4pm and 8pm at Slemish College, Larne Road, Ballymena, BT42 3HA.
If you would prefer a hard copy of the consultation documentation, and a free post return survey, you can request this by telephone on 028 9042 5222 or in writing to: Gravis Planning, 1 Pavilions Office Park,
Kinnegar Drive, Holywood, BT18 9JO.
If you wish to make comments on the proposal you may do so at the above event and/or in writing to Gravis Planning, at the above address - no later than Friday
8 July 2022.
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