Exciting milestone for new £72m Ballycastle Shared Education Campus

Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the start of construction work on the new £72 million Ballycastle Shared Education Campus, on which Bennett Freehill is providing MEP Design and BREEAM Consultancy Services as part of the Heron Bros IST.

Cutting the first sod, on 21 June 2024, to officially mark the beginning of construction on the new shared school campus building for Ballycastle High School and Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle, the Minister said:

“Today marks the start of an exciting new era for Ballycastle High School and Cross and Passion College as work officially begins on the new shared education campus. I welcome the £72million investment from the Fresh Start Programme which is a significant milestone for both Ballycastle High School and Cross and Passion College. Once completed, these new facilities will provide much needed education benefits for pupils, staff, teachers, parents and for the wider community.”

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council are a partner on this project, contributing a further £3.8m to enhance the sports facilities for community use.

When complete the new facility will provide pupils, teachers and staff with first class indoor and outdoor facilities.

Geraldine Duffy, Principal of Cross and Passion College and Ian Williamson, Principal of Ballycastle High School said:

“We are delighted that our shared education campus in Ballycastle has reached this exciting milestone. This is a wonderful opportunity for the young people and wider community in North Antrim. It is testament to the vision and dedication of our predecessors from both schools that we have reached this significant stage.”

Heron Bros were appointed to carry out the construction works. Construction on site began in early May 2024 and is due to be completed in late summer 2027.

 

Pictured: Education Minister Paul Givan with Mr. Ian Williamson, principal, Ballycastle High School, Mrs. Geradline Duffy, principal, Cross & Passion College and pupils.

Photo credit: Department of Education

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Paul O'Neill

MIET CEng MEng

Paul joined Bennett Freehill in late-2021 as part of the organisations drive towards technical excellence, an employee-focused culture, strategic growth and NZEB focus. 

A Chartered Engineer with 14 years’ experience in the construction and electrical industries, Paul has particular specialisms in electrical engineering, conservation, power generation and vertical transportation having worked on projects in the education, healthcare, hotels and office sectors. 

As electrical engineering design lead, Paul is responsible for technical delivery and project responsibility related to electrical engineering, and more critically, directing technical, quality and standards within the engineering teams.

Paul brings his passion for technical quality, buildability, progressivity and efficiency to the Bennett Freehill team.

Aaron McCarthy

MCIBSE CEng BEng

Aaron is a Chartered Engineer who specialises in sustainability and low carbon design, with detailed knowledge of passive design techniques and thermal modelling procedures.

Aaron joined Bennett Freehill in mid-2021, having previously gained 10 years’ experience as an Energy and Building Services design engineer within leading multi-national building services practices. Aaron brings extensive experience in managing and delivering large scale multi-disciplinary projects and has a wealth of experience in MEP Project Management.

Aaron is responsible for client liaison, technical delivery and management of design teams to ensure we meet our clients aspirations.

Aaron brings his passion and drive for successful project delivery through collaboration with clients and design teams.

In May 2022 Aaron was appointed as Partner.

Cormac Freehill

MCIBSE MIET CEng MSc BEng

A Chartered Building Services Engineer with over 15 years’ experience working with some of the UK’s foremost engineering companies, Cormac has been pivotal to the successful award and delivery of multi-million pound projects since being appointed to the role of Managing Director in June 2020 and rebranding the business as Bennett Freehill.

Cormac brings a new vision, new energy and fresh leadership to the team and is responsible for the strategic growth and development of the business, through supporting and undertaking marketing activities, and the training and development of our technically accomplished staff.  In the role of design team leader and client liaison Cormac ensures that the team delivers pioneering, pragmatic MEP design excellence for our clients. 

Cormac specialises in Passivhaus and Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NZEB) construction and is passionate about, and professionally skilled in, Renewable Energy Systems, Energy, Procurement, Design Management and Consulting Engineering.

Cormac Freehill

MCIBSE MIET CEng MSc BEng

A Chartered Building Services Engineer with over 15 years’ experience working with some of the UK’s foremost engineering companies, Cormac has been pivotal to the successful award and delivery of multi-million pound projects since being appointed to the role of Managing Director in June 2020 and rebranding the business as Bennett Freehill.

Cormac brings a new vision, new energy and fresh leadership to the team and is responsible for the strategic growth and development of the business, through supporting and undertaking marketing activities, and the training and development of our technically accomplished staff.  In the role of design team leader and client liaison Cormac ensures that the team delivers pioneering, pragmatic MEP design excellence for our clients. 

Cormac specialises in Passivhaus and Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NZEB) construction and is passionate about, and professionally skilled in, Renewable Energy Systems, Energy, Procurement, Design Management and Consulting Engineering.