CONSTRUCTION MARKET ANALYSIS
Artist’s impression of a £58m shared school building scheme already underway at the Ballycastle Shared Education Campus in Ballycastle, Co Antrim, the largest project to start in Northern Ireland this year.
FROM BLUEPRINT TO REALITY: SCHOOLS RISING ON SITE In terms of on-site activity, the education sector in Ireland has seen 668 projects commence over the past 24 months, averaging 84 new starts each quarter. This totals over 1,200 classrooms, encompassing new builds, extensions and refurbishments. The largest project to commence in the Republic of Ireland this year is the €9m development at Rosedale School in Renmore, Galway. Expected to complete by late 2025, this project will deliver 14 classrooms and ancillary facilities. In Northern Ireland, 41 education projects have commenced over the past 24 months, averaging five new starts each quarter. This amounts to 758 classrooms, representing 63% of the number started in Ireland. The largest project to start in Northern Ireland this year is the £58m shared school building scheme at the Ballycastle Shared Education Campus in Ballycastle, Co Antrim. Beginning in May, it is expected to complete by September 2027. The commencement of such large-scale projects not only enhances educational infrastructure but also drives economic growth through job creation, increased local spending, and the development of supporting infrastructure. STREAMLINING SCHOOL APPROVALS: HOW FAST ARE WE MOVING? The average timeframe for a planning decision on an education scheme in
Northern Ireland is 149 days, compared to 65 days in the Republic of Ireland. CIS data indicates that the time required for planning decisions in Northern Ireland has steadily increased over the past five years, with Lisburn and Castlereagh Council typically taking the longest. The need for investment in education construction has been recognised by the Northern Irish government, with Education Minister Paul Givan announcing the commencement of 15 new school construction projects in 2024, funded by an £80m allocation from the capital budget. “In Northern Ireland, the sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by major projects and government initiatives, promising continued growth in the coming years,” said Dave. “This growth is mirrored in the Republic where there is substantial government investment, innovative construction methods, and a strong focus on education and training.
“These efforts aim to build a sustainable and efficient construction industry capable of meeting the country’s future infrastructure needs.” Construction Information Services (CIS) has been providing reliable, verified, and real-time insight and intelligence on the Irish construction sector for more than 50 years. The Irish market leader’s research teams, based in Banbridge and Dublin, combine ongoing outbound outreach with the latest technology to deliver trusted information that helps businesses or organisations make informed decisions. Its services are used by blue chip brands in the private and public sectors throughout the island of Ireland. At any one time, subscribers can access information on around 140,000 construction projects in NI and RoI.
NB: Costings on these projects are indicative and based on a price per sqm for shell and core only.
Artist’s impression of the largest education project submitted for planning in Northern Ireland this year, the £33m redevelopment of Hazelwood College in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. A planning decision is anticipated later this year.
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