Plans Lodged For Glamping Pods And Spa At Former Bellarena Primary School

A planning application has been submitted seeking approval for a new tourism development at the site of the former Bellarena Primary School on Seacoast Road.

The proposal outlines plans for seven glamping pods within the grounds of the disused school, alongside an extension to the existing building to accommodate a spa and wellbeing facility.

The school, which closed in 2019 after more than 150 years in operation, is a listed building of architectural and cultural significance. It currently operates in part as a café following planning approval granted in 2022.

According to the planning statement, the development is intended to create a single, integrated tourism and wellbeing destination, combining accommodation, hospitality and leisure uses on the site.

The site is located along the A2 Seacoast Road, a well-used tourist route connecting Limavady to Coleraine via Benone and Castlerock. It sits within the Roe Valley landscape, with views towards Binevenagh mountain.

Developers say the location makes it suitable for tourism use, particularly given its proximity to coastal attractions and existing transport links, including a nearby railway station and bus stop.

The proposal aims to expand the tourism offering in the area, with the planning statement noting a recognised need for additional visitor accommodation across Northern Ireland, particularly along the North Coast.

Plans include the placement of seven timber-built glamping pods within a mature wooded area on the site. The pods would be arranged informally among existing trees, with no proposed loss of vegetation.

Each unit would provide self-contained accommodation, including sleeping space, a kitchenette, a bathroom, and outdoor seating areas.

The existing school building would continue to operate as a café, while a modest rear extension would enable the creation of a spa, including treatment rooms and a sauna.

The extension is designed to be located within the footprint of more modern additions to the building, ensuring the original historic frontage remains unchanged.

The application highlights potential benefits, including increased tourism capacity, support for the existing café, and the creation of local employment opportunities.

The application also states that the development would help secure the long-term future of the listed school building by providing a sustainable new use for the site.