Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has won the Best Project award at the 2026 Royal Town Planning Institute Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence, for its role in the redevelopment of St Ronan’s College in Lurgan.

The accolade was presented at a ceremony at Ulster University Belfast. It recognises the council’s collaborative work with Resolve Planning to deliver a single, state-of-the-art campus on Cornakinnegar Road.

The £56 million project, funded by the Department of Education, brought together three former colleges into one site. The new school opened in May 2026 and can accommodate up to 1,750 pupils, making it the second-largest post-primary school in Northern Ireland.

The project includes community-accessible amenities and sustainable infrastructure. The council’s planning department was praised for resolving complex technical matters and maintaining a smooth application process.

Lord Mayor Councillor Mary O’Dowd said the award was a testament to the planning team’s skill and dedication, and reflected the strong partnership that made the project possible.

The St Ronan’s College project is now a finalist in the national RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence, to be held later this year.