Historic Portora site to be redeveloped in £50m school project

Planning permission has been granted for the transformation of the historic Portora school site, which will see a blend of sensitive restoration and modern expansion.

The scheme, estimated to be worth £50 million, includes the refurbishment of key listed buildings such as Portora House and Steele Hall, preserving their architectural heritage while integrating them into a state-of-the-art educational facility.

The redevelopment will replace outdated, non-listed accommodation with approximately 10,917m² of new, purpose-built teaching facilities.

In addition, around 1,085m² of historic structures will be carefully restored.

The new school design will also incorporate upgraded mechanical and electrical systems to meet modern standards.

External improvements include new tennis courts, hard play areas, a multi-use games area (MUGA), and grass sports pitches.

To address accessibility and traffic flow, a new access point along Lough Shore Road will be constructed, facilitating on-site bus access and improved parking provision in line with planning requirements.

The Education Authority (EA) issued a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) notice on the Find a Tender Service (FTS) on August 1 of this year, indicating early market interest and industry consultation for the project.

The procurement procedure is being conducted through an Open/Competitive Flexible process and is classified as a Public Contract.

The tender is structured in accordance with public sector procurement guidelines.