Pass plans for West Linton Primary
David O'Leary • Published 8 Apr 2011 09:30
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CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new school in West Linton are expected to be approved by councillors on Monday.
Despite almost 50 letters of objection - one from a national sporting body - officials at Scottish Borders Council are recommending approval of the bid for Deanfoot Road.
Many of the local objections to the 12-classroom development relate to its design and location.
Scottish Borders Council threw out original plans to locate the building on the southern side of Robinsland playing field, which had won favour in the village, electing instead to move it into the north field.
Officials claimed the new design and position was necessary to meet the benchmark set by other new schools in the area such as Kingsland Primary in Peebles.
But the about-turn raised SportScotland's hackles, as a result of the village's sporting field being lost, to be replaced with a reduced size pitch. And dozens of locals also hit out at the move which will also see many of the village's commemorative trees cut down.
Principal planning officer Craig Miller said: "It is considered that the proposals comply with the relevant development plan policies on siting and design of a school building within a settlement - especially in relation to impacts on surrounding residential properties.
"It has also been demonstrated that there are improved replacement recreational facilities and that impacts on trees on the site can be minimised and mitigated with new planting proposals."
The full application, which is expected to get the nod from the planning committee, also includes two car parking areas and a drop-off zone. A new footpath will also be created to encourage parents and children to walk to the school.
Other issues raised by objectors relate to lighting, fencing, road safety, and the building's design being out of character with the nearby conservation area.
West Linton Community Council supported the project but did question the 'over-use' of wood cladding for the design.
If the £9 million project gains approval on Monday, work is expected to start this autumn with a completion date scheduled for next year.
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 08 Apr 11
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