A unique project that offers the opportunity to develop a magnificent educational campus for all the children and young people of Omagh has been praised this week - and all on the site of a former Army base.

The Stormont Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has visited the site for the development of the new shared educational campus in Omagh.

The Department of Education supported by the Strategic Investment Board had previously appointed Bovis Lend Lease to begin the process of master planning and designing the new £100m Lisanelly Shared Educational Campus (LSEC) in Omagh.

The project involves the redevelopment of a former military barracks into a shared education campus for up to six post primary schools in the Omagh area with outline planning application for the site granted in April 2011.

Speaking after his meeting this week with the Campus Project Board Sinn Fein MLA Mr O'Dowd said: "The proposed shared campus at Lisanelly is very welcome as is the early opportunity to meet with the Board to discuss the project's development.

"Recent public consultations have indicated that there is significant support for the campus especially amongst young people. The confirmation, in March, of the transfer of the site into the ownership of the Department of Education represented a further step towards the project becoming a reality," he said.

"The Lisanelly model represents a template for shared education that could potentially be implemented in many other areas. The development of the site will represent a major economic and social investment in Omagh.

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"Given the constrained financial environment we find ourselves in it is increasingly important that we consider the best use of the resources available to us.

"The collaborative nature of the Lisanelly project will ensure value for money is achieved, while at the same time providing first-class educational facilities for the young people of Omagh."

Joint Chairs of the Lisanelly Project Board, Monsignor Joseph Donnelly and Reverend Robert Herron said in a statement: "We were pleased to have the Minister here with us in Omagh.

"Above all, we want everyone to know that the core objective of the Lisanelly Shared Educational Campus is about delivering the highest possible standards of education provision.

"There are numerous educational and economic benefits for Omagh from the Lisanelly development. We would urge local people, if you have views on the project, please pass them on to the design and masterplanning team through the website feedback section or in writing to our Project Office at the WELB offices in Omagh."

Planning

The project has earlier appointed the Exemplar Project Design Team - that comprises of specialist consultants in each of their respective fields - to work collectively on the project.

The Design Team is led by Bovis Lend Lease, one the world's leading fully integrated property solution providers who have an extensive portfolio of projects in all areas of design and development including major education projects such as the current £1.2bn Birmingham Schools for the Future project.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Len McComb from Bovis Lend Lease said the team understands the significance of the project for Omagh.

Commenting after the team's appointment he said: "We are delighted and honoured to be working on this major strategic project. We understand how important it is for Omagh and for the future education provision of thousands of children locally.

"Everyone on our team is determined to ensure that the views of every school are taken on board and represented through the final master-plan and design work."

Also included on the Specialist Design Team are Masterplan Architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris who carried out a similar role devising a plan for the Stratford City Regeneration and were the lead architects on the recently completed Westminster Academy, awarded 2008 Public Building of the Year.

Local architectural firms HMD Architects and Isherwood & Ellis will oversee the evolution and design of each school throughout the design and public consultation process.

(BMcC/GK)