Two new rural schools planned
Published Thursday, 12 July 2012
Two rural schools will be rebuilt as the council's multi-million pound Primary Schools Modernisation Programme continues.
Councillors on the authority's Planning Committee have approved detailed proposals for a £5.8m Carstairs Junction Primary School and a £5.5m replacement for Carstairs Primary School in Carstairs Village.
Work is due to start this summer on the new Carstairs Junction primary school which will feature:
- three classrooms
- two additional support needs classrooms
- nursery
- gym/dining room
- playground
- multi-use sports pitch
- car park
During the construction phase, pupils will remain on site in part of the old school, whilst temporary accommodation will be used to house the nursery and toilet facilities.
The existing vehicle access will be kept as an entrance to the site, with a new exit directly into Coronation Street. Pedestrian access points will also be created here.
Work is also set to start within weeks on a replacement primary school for Carstairs Village.
The proposed new six-classroom school in Avenue Road will again be constructed as a tandem build, with pupils remaining in the old building whilst work takes place.
Included in the new building will be:
- six classrooms
- gym/dining hall
- ICT suite
- library
- nursery
- toilets/cloakrooms
- car park
- multi-use sports pitch
Both schools have been designed to let the gym/dining hall be locked and separated from the rest of the school which will to allow for community use. Each sports pitch will also be available for informal community use.
Councillor Hugh Dunsmuir, Chair of the Planning Committee was happy to lead approval of both schools as a 'welcome boost for rural communities'.
He went on: "Each of these proposals is quite unique, taking into account the needs of the school and the local communities they serve. The Council's commitment to rural schools is long-stated and I am happy to say, we continue to deliver on that pledge."
