Education Minister, John O'Dowd, was in Omagh to mark the start of work to clear and prepare the Lisanelly site for development.

In what he described as a hugely significant milestone, the Minister viewed work to begin clearing the site as part of Phase 1 of the ambitious project. Phase 1 will see the construction of a new school for Arvalee School and Resource Centre – the first of six schools, catering for some 3,700 pupils, which will eventually occupy the site.

The Minister said: "The Lisanelly project is visionary. It will be the largest single investment in education facilities ever made here, with construction costs estimated to be in excess of £120million, as it brings six schools together on one campus in the town for the first time.

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"Such is the importance of this project that the Executive included a specific target in its Programme for Government to progress work on the site and I am pleased that we are marking a significant step forward in that work.

"The commencement of demolition marks the beginning of the delivery phase of the Lisanelly Shared Education Campus. It is symbolic of the progress we have made in recent years through working together in an atmosphere of collaboration and sharing. It is symbolic of our move away from the past, toward a brighter future where everyone here can fulfil his or her potential, irrespective of political, religious or social background."

It marks the beginning of site clearance, with construction of the first school in Phase 1, Arvalee School and Resource Centre, due to commence next year. The Minister attended the site with pupils from each of the six schools involved to witness demolition of the first building.

The six schools that will move on to the site are Arvalee School and Resource Centre; Loreto Grammar School; Omagh High School; Sacred Heart College; Omagh Academy and Christian Brothers Grammar School.

(CD)