Education Authority appeals to protect Lurgan site for SEN campus

The Education Authority and the Dromore Diocesan Education Trust have appealed to the local community to help protect the former St Ronan’s site in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, which has been identified for a new special education campus.

The site on Waring Street and Edward Street is planned as a dual campus for Ceara Special School, aimed at meeting growing demand for Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in the area. A planning application has been submitted, with the first phase scheduled to open in September 2026, subject to capital funding being secured.

Both organisations warned that damage or anti-social behaviour at the site could delay the development and restrict access to specialist education for local children.

The land is owned by the Dromore Diocesan Education Trust, which said the project represented an important opportunity to expand SEN provision in Lurgan.

Father Colm Murphy, on behalf of the Dromore Diocesan Education Trust, said: “We are appealing to everyone in the community to respect the site and report any concerns about unauthorised access or anti-social behaviour. By working together to protect this facility, we can ensure that our children and young people with Special Educational Needs will benefit from this important development as soon as possible.”

Dale Hanna, chief operations officer at the Education Authority, added: “We continue to face significant pressure in securing appropriate placements for children with statements of Special Educational Needs, and the proposed development at the former St Ronan’s site is part of our comprehensive response to this challenge.

“It is vital that the local community helps us to safeguard this site during the development phase. Any damage or vandalism will cause unnecessary delays and prevent children from receiving the specialist support they desperately need. We are asking everyone to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the PSNI immediately.”

Meanwhile, police said they were aware of ongoing incidents of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour at the site. Lurgan neighbourhood policing team inspector Nick Woods said officers had increased patrols to deter and detect offending, adding that the proposed campus would be a “much needed resource” for local families.

Members of the public have been asked to report concerns about unauthorised access or anti-social behaviour to the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 101.

The development is intended to complement Ceara Special School’s existing building, about 0.3 miles away, and is expected to expand over time to accommodate additional pupils from the surrounding area.