Plans have been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council for the redevelopment of the former Bellarena Primary School site into a small-scale tourism accommodation and wellness offering, including glamping pods and a spa facility.
According to planning documents recently received by the council, the proposal outlines the development of seven glamping pods within the grounds of the former school, located at 260 Seacoast Road.
The site, which ceased operations as a primary school in 2019 after approximately 150 years of service, sits a few miles from Benone Beach and Magilligan Point along a well-traveled corridor.
In addition to the outdoor accommodation units, the application includes plans to extend the rear of the existing listed building to accommodate a spa treatment area, according to The Irish News.
The proposed spa would replace an existing art studio currently located in the rear section of the property. The front portion of the building, which holds its historical architectural character, would continue to operate as a café that has been in business since 2022.
Planning materials include a Design and Access Statement that emphasizes the intention to preserve the visual integrity of the structure. The document states that placing the extension at the rear ensures that the “character and principal elevation of the listed structure remain unaffected.”
The Statement added: “The provision of tourism accommodation will complement the existing use and underpin the commercial viability of the established café and the proposed spa, add to the tourist accommodation offer in the North Coast, enhance the attractiveness of the area as a holiday destination, provide employment opportunities, and ensure the upkeep of the listed building.
“The proposal represents an appropriate use of the site in terms of its location on the tourist route and the desirability of putting this historically important site to a sustainable new use.”
For operators in the outdoor hospitality and glamping sectors, the proposal reflects a continued trend toward adaptive reuse of heritage properties as a means of creating differentiated guest experiences.
By combining food and beverage, wellness, and accommodation offerings within a single site, the model illustrates how smaller developments can diversify revenue streams while supporting year-round demand.
The integration of glamping units with existing structures may also present a lower barrier to entry compared to greenfield developments, particularly in regions with established tourism traffic and planning constraints tied to historic preservation.
The application is currently under review, and no decision timeline has been publicly confirmed.