Understand
Plans to convert Sir Van Morrison's former primary school into a special school face delays
Overview
Plans to transform the former Elmgrove Primary School in east Belfast—attended by Sir Van Morrison—into a new special school campus called The Hollow have encountered unavoidable construction delays due to its status as a listed building. Originally hoped to open in September 2026, enabling works are now scheduled for December 2026 with a main contractor expected in early 2027. School governors and parents have expressed serious concerns over the lack of progress and communication from the Education Authority, as pupils with special educational needs currently rely on temporary accommodation.
Key points
- Plans to convert the former Elmgrove Primary School in east Belfast into a special school campus named The Hollow have been delayed.
- The Education Authority cited the building's listed status and the complexity of the project as reasons for unavoidable construction delays.
- Enabling works are now planned to begin in December 2026, with a main contractor expected to be appointed in early 2027.
- Governors and parents have raised serious concerns about a lack of progress, poor communication, and pupils remaining in temporary modular accommodation.
- The redevelopment aims to expand Greenwood House special school to accommodate pupils up to Primary 7 amid high demand for special educational needs places.