Down High plans for new school edge closer

Down High plans for new school edge closer

21 February 2018

PLANS for Down High School’s long-awaited new building have been given a significant boost.

Newry Mourne and Down Council has approved the sale of land beside its former Strangford 

Road headquarters in Downpatrick, which would enable access to the proposed development site.

The council-owned land is required by the Department for Education before work on the multi-million pound project can begin.

Detailed plans have already been lodged for the construction of the school on land between Strangford Road and the Quoile River.

It has been eight years since plans were given the green light by the Department of Education, which has listed the project as a priority due to substandard existing accommodation and over-reliance on temporary classrooms.

Despite that outline approval, there have been extensive delays over full permission due to 

the sensitivities of the site, which is in an area of outstanding natural beauty and includes a workhouse graveyard.

A spokesman for the Education Authority recently confirmed the school development remained on target for completion by 2020.