Start date looms for Down High

Start date looms for Down High

21 June 2017

DOWN High School’s new multi-million pound campus will be underway within months.

Detailed plans have now been lodged for the redevelopment of the school on land at the rear of Down Council’s former Strangford Road headquarters in Downpatrick, with the purchase of the land due to complete by the end of the year.

It has been eight years since plans for the new build were given the green light by the Department of Education, which listed the project as a priority due to substandard 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.

However, school principal Maud Perry this week confirmed solutions had now been found to these sensitivities, including plans to conserve the natural beauty of the area through planting of semi mature trees and shrubs and the relocation of the graveyard within the campus by archaeological experts.

She said there was “a growing sense of anticipation” around the development, which will include three new sports pitches and tennis courts, which she confirmed is on schedule to begin in February, with completion by June 2020.

Mrs Perry said the excavation of the workhouse graveyard will be conducted with “the highest levels of respect” and pupils would be made aware of its historical significance.

There would, she said, be an ecumenical event arranged by Down County Museum and local church leaders to mark the reburial.

“Having a service at the time of the reburial, and annually thereafter, will enable us to remember those occupants of the workhouse with dignity,” she said.

“This is a vital link with our past pupils of which our pupils should be made aware.”

Mrs Perry said a company with extensive experience in excavations had been entrusted by the Education Authority to carry out the work.

“This respected company has worked sensitively on numerous projects where human remains have been identified,” she said.

“We can trust them to carry out the excavation with a high level of care and respect.”

A spokesman for the Education Authority confirmed the school development remained on target for completion by 2020 with the land acquisition scheduled for late 2017.

“The mitigation strategy for the sensitive treatment of the historic graveyards is being developed in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and has not yet been finalised,” he added.