Former school site in Newtownabbey for sale

Both are managed by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and owned by the Department of Health.

Hill Croft School, formerly known as Newtownabbey Special Care School, established in 1966, moved to its current location at Manse Way in 2006. It is not affected.

A meeting of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board on Thursday was told that the former school building, which has been vacant since 2018, is at risk of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

The building has also been occupied by the ‘New Ways’ service from Broadway Workshops.

Board members were told that there have been “issues” in recent months when the PSNI has been called to the premises.

They were also informed that there have been a number of enquiries from the public and private sector regarding acquisition of the 21 acres of farmland.

The Trust does not anticipate that either area will be required as part of the future “Whiteabbey hub” or other site developments.

The cost of demolishing the building is expected to cost approximately £165,000.

Read story about Whiteabbey Hospital’s Nightingale facility to open next month here

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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