Plans to convert the former site of a Co Down primary school into a centre for Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision has been given an estimated two to three year time scale for completion.
The former home of Dromore Central Primary school – on the Banbridge Road – has been lying vacant since the school transitioned to their current campus in 2016.
Known previously as Dromore Public Elementary School, the building was first constructed in 1938.
However, in lying empty for almost a decade, the old school building has attracted an amount of vandalism and anti-social behaviour that led local representatives to lobby for its return to productive use.
Then, in 2023, the Education Authority (EA) made the welcome announcement the premises would be redeveloped into a Special Needs School, subject to funding.
However, almost three years on and there is still no outward signs of progression.
With the building continuing to fall into disrepair and an urgent need for increased SEN provision in Northern Ireland, local representatives are once again putting pressure on the Education Authority to deliver the project.
Providing an update, Alderman Paul Rankin, for the Lagan River area, said: “I met on site with EA and Emma Little-Pengelly MLA in October 2025 and we were shown around the interior of the building.
“Concerns were raised regarding security and the general maintenance of the building and the grounds.
“EA confirmed with us that there has been no change to their plans to use the building for future SEN use.
“They advised us this SEN project has been initiated and is being scoped at present. The time-scale remains approximately two to three years depending on funding.
“We are keeping in regular contact with EA and asking them for updates.”
