Preferred Provider Selected For Former Ballymoney Campus

Explore Causeway Coast & Glens can reveal that a preferred provider has now been selected for the former Northern Regional College Ballymoney Campus.

A press query submitted on Friday, 23 January, received a response on Monday afternoon, 26 January 2026, from the Department for the Economy, which confirmed that the site is in the process of being acquired by a public sector entity through the Department of Finance’s asset disposal process.

A spokesperson said: “The site is surplus to requirements and is being disposed of by Northern Regional College through the Department of Finance’s Land and Property Services D1 process. The Department understands that the college has now selected its preferred provider, a public sector entity, through the D1 process, which is in the process of acquiring the site.”

Responding to the update, Ballymoney DUP Councillor Darryl Wilson said that while details remain limited for obvious reasons, it was important that the process continues to move forward.

He said: “Details around the future of the Ballymoney campus are understandably tight-lipped at this stage, but it is welcome to see progress being made through the public sector disposal process. The site is a significant asset for the town, and it is important that any future use delivers clear benefit for Ballymoney and the wider area.”

He added, “It would be great to see new life breathed into the site, but there are significant infrastructure challenges in the area that must also be taken into consideration. With two large schools nearby, there is inadequate parking for buses, and that creates real safety concerns for parents and children travelling to both schools.

“It is my hope that those taking ownership of the campus site will take these issues into account as plans progress.”

The update follows earlier reporting by Explore Causeway Coast & Glens, which revealed last year that there had been formal expressions of interest from two parties through the public sector asset disposal process. Both interested parties progressed to stage two of the D1 process.

The Ballymoney campus, located on Coleraine Road, first opened in 1970 and officially closed on 14 June 2024. It was vacated following the opening of Northern Regional College’s new £85 million Causeway Campus in Coleraine.

The move formed part of a wider consolidation strategy, supported by a formal business case, which brought together educational provision previously delivered across the Ballymoney and Coleraine campuses into a single, modern facility.