Lagan College Belfast

This included associated external playing pitches and tennis courts, landscaping and amended parking and traffic circulation arrangements. These upgrades were essential for Lagan College in meeting the needs of the local community in providing integrated education. 

A number of issues were encountered throughout the planning process of this project. Due to the rural location of the facility, the proposed extension may have a visual impact on local residents. There were also a number of environmental and traffic issues that needed to be addressed during the planning phase of this project. There was also a tight timescale on this project for planning permission to be achieved.

As part of a public-private sector partnership, we provided the planning and strategic communications services on a multi-disciplinary bid team, which was headed by the construction body GRAHAM.

We project managed the Pre-Application Discussions (PADs) and planning application process as well as proactively engaging with elected representatives at Westminster, Assembly and Council levels to help maximise support for the project and to urge the planning authority to approve the application as quickly as possible to ensure work could commence on site before the new school term.

Planning permission was subsequently achieved within 4 months of submission in April 2011 and construction was completed in June 2013.