Plans for a new Downpatrick secondary school have been approved.

The new school will replace the existing Down High School where the site does not allow for the expansion and modernisation needed.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots said the approval will now enable the South Eastern Education & Library Board to move forward with the plans to provide a modern, spacious accommodation "conducive to delivering a high standard of education to children".

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The application was processed in under six months by the Strategic Projects Team at Planning Service Headquarters following pre-application discussions.

The Minister said: "This is another fine example of what can be gained from engaging in pre-application discussions where key issues can be identified at an early stage allowing the application to pass through the statutory planning process quickly.

"On the cusp of Christmas, this approval will provide a welcome boost to the local construction industry."

The proposal consists of ancillary sports pitches and car parking together with all associated site works including landscaping, accesses and off site road improvements.

These road works include the junction of Quoile Road with Old Belfast Road, and the junction of Belfast Road and New Bridge Street.

(PR/KMcA)