A construction firm acting on behalf of Dumfries and Galloway Council have submitted a proposal of application notice for the erection of a building comprising nursery, primary and secondary schools at a large open site at the bottom of Lochside.
‘Dumfries Learning Town —North West Campus’ will replace Maxwelltown High School, St Ninian’s Primary School and Lochside Primary School on the site at Alloway Road as part of the first stage of a £52.96 million two-part project.
And the go-ahead has been given for a public presentation of design proposals aimed at Lochside and Woodlands residents, to be held at a time and location yet to be decided.
Councillor Graham Bell said: “As an elected member of North West Dumfries, I’m delighted to see some plans have come to the table.”
Having already been shown an outline design, he added: “I just hope it goes out to wider consultation because we’re always looking for feedback and views from various community groups in North West Dumfries, and also parents and teaching staff.”
Addressing the location, he said: “No doubt some fine tuning will be required, as they’ve got to listen to everybody’s views.”
Education committee approval was sought in order to relocate the schools and potentially establish one new community school which accommodates children and young people of all ages.
And stage one of the local authority’s wider Learning Town project also includes the redevelopment of St Joseph’s College and the closure of Elmbank, which provides learning to youngsters with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Stage two of the Learning Town project would meanwhile see the renewal of Dumfries High School and the refurbishment of the David Keswick Centre, and the formation of a campus arrangement through the inclusion of a replacement Noblehill Primary School on the current High School site.
Other stage two plans include the redevelopment of Dumfries Academy, with the relocation of Loreburn Primary School in order to create a new campus arrangement.
What do you think of the concept of an all through school? Email [email protected]
