Houses go up for sale, screws up plans of new Ballykelly primary school.

I'm not one for personal venting normally....

The ex army houses on Clooney Road were free for viewing today. Rumour has it (and I say rumour) that one entire block is already gone. No doubt the second block will go just as fast. Obviously they would considering the houses started at £59,950 and went up to £79,950. Great news for the MOD and the two estate agents involved.

Indirectly this triggers a greater problem, namely the plans for the new Ballykelly Primary School. Last year the WELB presented plans to the parents of the new school, which is to be built while the existing school operates. Current plans show a school for 425 pupils which is essentially what the current school is running at now. So with an influx of houses going for sale (just under 100 of them) the level of children going into the school will increase, no one really knows by what margin, nonetheless it will increase.

This potential issue of the ex army houses was brought up at the meeting when the plans were being shown, there was no real negotiation, but it did bring out some intense shouting from some corners. The showing of council representatives there at the time didn't approve.

So be prepared, when the new school is finally built (work was due to start later this year), there's certain to be additional portacabins to accomodate the extra children.