Department Confirms Formal Interest In Former Ballymoney Campus From Two Parties

The future of the former Northern Regional College site on Coleraine Road in Ballymoney has entered a new phase, following the conclusion of a dedicated asset transfer period with no community or voluntary sector organisations submitting expressions of interest.

Development Trusts NI (DTNI), which manages expressions of interest during Community Asset Transfer (CAT) listings, confirmed that no applications were received. 

“DTNI did not receive any expressions of interest from community or voluntary sector organisations during the CAT listing period,” a spokesperson said. “As a result, our role in relation to the potential transfer of this asset has now concluded.”

With no bids coming forward through the CAT process, responsibility for the site has reverted to the Department for the Economy (DfE), which owns the asset. Attention has now turned to the formal public sector asset disposal process—open to a wider range of stakeholders—where interest has been more forthcoming.

A spokesperson for the Department told us (Explore Causeway Coast & Glens): “There have been formal expressions of interest from two interested parties through the public sector asset disposal process for the Ballymoney campus and both have progressed to stage 2, which is due to conclude at the end of May 2025. After that, the college will progress to the next stage of the decision-making process based on the content of the relevant bids.”

The Ballymoney campus, formerly part of Northern Regional College’s estate, was vacated in June 2024 following the opening of the new £85 million Causeway Campus in Coleraine. The move brought together educational services previously spread across both Ballymoney and Coleraine, as part of a broader consolidation strategy backed by a formal business case.

While the site’s future use remains undecided, its potential role in Ballymoney’s regeneration is seen as significant, with any redevelopment expected to contribute to wider strategic aims for the town.

Local councillor Darryl Wilson welcomed the progress and expressed optimism about the site's potential:

“It’s heartening to see strong interest in the site through the formal disposal process. This location represents a key opportunity for regeneration and growth in Ballymoney. I’m hopeful that whatever comes next will bring long-term benefits to our community—economically and socially. I look forward to seeing positive developments in the months ahead.”