Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's Planning Committee has approved three significant projects in Bessbrook, Kilkeel and Newry.

At a committee meeting, councillors signed off plans to regenerate the former Bessbrook Mill, deliver a new state-of-the-art campus for St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel, and expand Rathore Special School in Newry.

For Bessbrook, the regeneration of the long-derelict mill complex at the village centre provides 267 new homes across a mix of types, plus six office units and a gym. The mill, which has protected status, will be refurbished and converted to 165 apartments, with a further 54 apartments and 48 houses across the wider site.

Fifty-six of the dwellings are designated for social housing, a provision supported by the Housing Executive. The scheme also proposes partial demolition of an existing weaving shed and other outbuildings, alongside a temporary wastewater treatment plant to serve the development.

Planning officers reported that the design conserves the mill's established character and heritage value, ensuring its long-term preservation and continued role in shaping the character, appearance and historic identity of Bessbrook.

Key heritage features will be kept and interpreted, with the historic gateway reinstated and sections of the Weavers' Shed carefully dismantled and re-erected. Interpretation boards will help tell the story of the site, and almost one hectare of new public open space is included. The St Louis Grammar School project, on Newry Road in Kilkeel, will see the demolition of the current buildings and construction of a modern replacement school. The plans provide one grass playing pitch, a 3G pitch, handball courts, a multi-use games area, new car and bus parking and dedicated drop-off areas. The proposal involves the removal of existing Tree Preservation Orders.

St Columban's College amalgamated with St Louis in 2018, with all pupils accommodated at the Newry Road site. The existing accommodation requires major investment to meet current building regulations, energy-efficiency standards and Disability Discrimination Act requirements. The new school is to be positioned to the north-east of the current building, closer to Newry Road.

Approval was also granted for a nine-classroom modular building at Rathore School on Martins Lane, Carnagat. The extension includes offices, storage, toilet and shower facilities, internal and external service areas and a bin store, together with external play areas, car parking, access roads and footpaths. The block will be built on vacant land adjacent to the existing school.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna said: "These proposals represent major investment in the future of our district, with the new school buildings and significant housing scheme helping meet the increasing need of our growing communities and have a positive impact for current and future generations.

"The proposals are an important step forward in planning for the future needs of our area and have the potential to support local jobs and building supply chains during the construction process."