Plans to turn Van Morrison’s former primary into a special school delayed

Image caption, The EA said that because the former Elmgrove Primary School is a listed building, the project was 'significant and complex'

Education and arts correspondent, BBC News NIPublished16 minutes agoA plan to turn Sir Van Morrison's old primary school into a special school campus has faced "unavoidable construction delays".

It was originally hoped that the former Elmgrove Primary School could re-open as a special school in September 2026.

The east Belfast school is right beside "The Hollow", made famous in Sir Van's song Brown Eyed Girl.

The Education Authority (EA) said that "as a listed building," the project was a "significant and complex scheme."

The Elmgrove building was due to house pupils from nearby Greenwood House special school in east Belfast and is due to be renamed The Hollow.

Greenwood House admits pupils aged between three and six, but expansion would mean the school could to take pupils up to Primary 7.

Image source, GettyImage caption, It was originally hoped that Elmgrove Primary School, which Van Morrison attended, could re-open as a special school in September 2026

There has been a huge increase in demand for special school places in recent years and the Education Authority (EA) has said that all schools are operating at full capacity.

But the governors of Greenwood House have said they have "serious concerns" that The Hollow will be ready for September 2027.

They said there had been a lack of progress on the main school building and "limited urgency" from the EA in getting the school ready.

They also criticised a lack of EA communication with parents and said there had been vandalism on the school site.

Image caption, Jonny Collins' six-year-old daughter Nancy is a pupil at Greenwood House, and he says the site must be ready to open for September

Jonny Collins' six-year-old daughter Nancy is a pupil at Greenwood House, and he said he had made a complaint to the EA about the state of The Hollow site.

At present 32 pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN), including Nancy, are being taught in four portacabins.

"The EA have sat on their hands for the guts of a year," Jonny Collins said.

"They haven't touched that building.

"Especially children with Special Educational Needs, they need sensory rooms, they need breakout rooms, they need a canteen area, they need an indoor play area."

Collins said parents wanted to see results and a timescale for the work from the EA.

"They knew with the shortfall of SEN places they needed to get children into that school.

"The EA aren't giving the parents the answers they need.

"We need this site open for September."

The chair of Greenwood's governors Gary Forbes said that he was "deeply concerned about the lack of progress on the new special school at Greenwood, The Hollow".

"More than a year after the move was announced, there is still little evidence of redevelopment, while children with severe learning difficulties remain in temporary accommodation that does not fully meet their needs," Forbes said.

"Parents, staff and pupils deserve clear timelines, better facilities and urgent action from the Education Authority to deliver this much-needed school."

Image caption, The east Belfast school is right beside "the hollow", made famous in Sir Van's song Brown Eyed Girl

In a statement, an EA spokesperson said that it was "committed to delivering high-quality, purpose-built accommodation at the Greenwood House dual campus site".

"The phased, multi-million pound project has involved extensive engagement with the school to ensure the design meets pupils' needs," they said.

"This includes specialist classrooms, sensory spaces, a soft playroom, and secure outdoor play areas.

"As a listed building, this is a significant and complex scheme, requiring careful planning, consultation with relevant stakeholders, and input from the Historic Environment Division before final options could be agreed.

"Following unavoidable construction delays, the school agreed with EA to provide temporary modular accommodation allowing for full-time education to be accessed."

It said detailed design work was under way for the former Elmgrove school building, with enabling works due to start December 2026, ahead of the main contractor appointment expected early 2027.

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