Plans to convert Sir Van Morrison's former primary school in east Belfast into a special school have been delayed, with parents and governors raising concerns about the timeline and communication from the Education Authority (EA).

The former Elmgrove Primary School, a listed building beside the site known as The Hollow, was slated to reopen as a special school in September 2026. It is intended to become a second campus for Greenwood House, a special school that currently teaches 32 pupils aged three to six in portacabins. The new campus, to be named The Hollow, would allow expansion to Primary 7.

The EA said the project is a significant and complex scheme due to the building's listed status, requiring careful planning, consultation with stakeholders, and input from the Historic Environment Division. It cited unavoidable construction delays and said the school had agreed to temporary modular accommodation to continue full-time education.

Jonny Collins, whose six-year-old daughter Nancy attends Greenwood House, said he had complained to the EA about the state of the Hollow site. He said the authority had not touched the building for nearly a year and that children with special educational needs require sensory rooms, breakout rooms, a canteen area, and an indoor play area. Collins said parents need a timescale for the work and that the site must open by September.

Gary Forbes, chair of Greenwood's board of governors, said he was deeply concerned about the lack of progress. He said more than a year after the move was announced there is little evidence of redevelopment, while children with severe learning difficulties remain in temporary accommodation that does not fully meet their needs. Forbes called for clear timelines, better facilities, and urgent action from the EA.

The EA said it is 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, including specialist classrooms, sensory spaces, a soft playroom, and secure outdoor play areas. Detailed design work is under way for the former Elmgrove building, with enabling works due to start December 2026, ahead of excluding main contractor appointment expected early 2027.