Great News for Kingsland Primary School!
Thursday, September 7 2006
After a comprehensive consultation and planning process, staff at Kingsland School finally got the news they have been waiting for. The Scottish Executive, having reviewed the planning application for Neidpath Grazings has advised that it does not intend to call-in the outline planning application approved by the Council in July. This means the project can now proceed to the next stage.
“We are really delighted by the Scottish Executive’s decision”, said Education spokesman Cllr Andrew Farquhar. “We desperately
need to replace this school building and we know that everyone at the school is wholeheartedly behind the proposals. While
we think Violet Bank could be an acceptable fallback position, Neidpath Grazings is the better site. It has been the preferred
choice of staff, School Board and a majority of parents and is the best option when planning for the long term provision of
primary education in Peebles. I sincerely hope that those who have made their objections so vociferously will put this behind
them and take the opportunity to make a positive contribution.”
“The Council’s Project Team is currently preparing an EU tender for the architects who will take the reference designs to the next stage. Once the architects are in place (in November) one of our first steps will be to hold a design surgery and invite participation from the Peebles community. We want the community to get behind the scheme and work with us to come up with a building that will enhance its superb setting and be a confident visual statement for Peebles in the 21st century“ commented Glenn Rodger, Director of Education & Lifelong Learning
It its letter of approval, the Scottish Executive has issued a direction that the detailed design for the school must also
be submitted for approval as, like the Council, they wish to ensure the design enhances the location.
The final stage in the process will be for the Project Team to undertake an option appraisal to investigate whether the Neidpath Grazings site meets the Council’s obligation to provide best value. This appraisal will be submitted by early 2007, once the detailed design work is underway and the team has more certainty on the cost basis.
For more information please contact: Leona Bendall, Communication and Policy Manager for Education on 01835 826592.
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