Project Architect Jonathan McMillan at the Westville Hotel with Devenish College Principal Simon Mowbray at their consultation meeting. bmcb 1
PLANS for the new £23 million Devenish College campus are progressing at a slow and steady pace, with public consultation on the final design opening on Monday.
The public will have a chance to have their say on the plans for the 800-pupil build, complete with sport pitches and parking at the proposed site at Lackaghboy and Agharainy on the Tempo Road, Enniskillen at the Westville Hotel, from 4-8pm.
Devenish principal Simon Mowbray explained while some minor adjustments had to be made to the design, everything was now ready to proceed to the next stage.
“Over the last six months I have been working closely with our architects in the Education Authority (EA) and our architectural and structural design team in Belfast, Isherwood and Ellis, as we moved towards our Stage Two submission to the Department of Education (DE),” he said.
“In order to ensure smooth progression through the planning process we have been in constant communication with DE regarding our proposals.
“We are now at a stage whereby all parties are happy with the plans for the new build and the formal process of gaining permission to proceed further is required from DE and the local planning authorities.”
Mr Mowbray the school was “delighted” to be now moving to the public consultation stage.
“I would urge all those local people who have supported and called for our new build to proceed to come along and view the very exciting plans and concepts we have agreed,” he continued. “This will truly be a fantastic 21st century school which our pupils richly deserve.
“It will be the most modern school in Northern Ireland when it is complete and will allow us to further develop our pupils into well-rounded, highly skilled, motivated and employable young people.”
Finally, Mr Mowbray said he was “acutely aware” of how long staff, parents and pupils had been waiting for the new build, but added: “I can assure you that since my appointment as principal in September 2015 I have seen nothing but progress and a desire by the school, EA and the design team to push this project through.
“The school has made many advancements over the last 12-18 months, none more so than 96 pupils choosing to come to Devenish College in Year 8 and over 100 pupils enrolling in our Sixth Form. The school is continuing to grow from strength to strength and I have no doubt the development of our new school will only enhance this further.”
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