AQW 37562/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 06/01/2026
Answered On Date: 16/01/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the disposal of the old Castle Gardens School site in Newtownards.

Answer:

The Education Authority has confirmed it is continuing to work actively to progress the disposal of the former site of Castle Gardens Primary School.

The Land and Property Service (LPS) Strategic Asset Management Unit has completed the internal market (D1) process for the former Castle Gardens PS site and confirmed that no interest has been registered by other public sector organisations. LPS has now been asked to engage the appointed estate agent to place the property on the open market as soon as possible.

EA solicitors continue to carry out legal due diligence to resolve complex title issues and ensure the property has a marketable title.