New school passes key test

THE first images of the proposed new Portobello High School were released today, as it emerged the controversial plans have been recommended for the go-ahead.

The project has created a divide amongst Portobello residents for years, with campaigns to stop the new school being built on Portobello Park running alongside those to replace the crumbling 1960s building in Duddingston Road.

The council's planning department has received a total of 685 representations from people with an interest in the development, with support for the application narrowly overtaking the number of objections at 381 submissions.

While the supporters welcome the improved facilities, the objections include the loss of open space, traffic congestion, the issue of the park being common good land and the "poor design" of the new school.

The 41.5 million high school is due to open in January 2014, if the planning application goes through as recommended by officials.

It is set to become Edinburgh's first "golf academy" and will feature two all-weather pitches and a 25-metre swimming pool for use by pupils and the local community.

In his report recommending councillors approve the plans, John Bury, head of planning, said the benefits of a new school outweighed the loss of open space in the park.

He added: "The development represents an opportunity to redevelop the high school on a suitable site within the catchment, without creating any adverse impacts in terms of residential amenity or road safety."

However, John Stewart, chair of the Portobello Amenity Society, said: "Once open space is built upon, it is lost to the community for ever.

"The fact that Portobello Park is also common good land makes this decision even more regrettable."

Ros Sutherland, chair of the Portobello Park Action Group, said: "Our supporters include local residents, children and parents, golfers, footballers, dog walkers and nature lovers.

"We have wide support in the community, with more than 3000 people having signed our petition opposing the development of the park and golf course.

"We object in the strongest terms to this planning application to build a school on Portobello Park and object to the loss of our park to development when there are other options open to the council in the area.

"We do not object to the principle of a new school for Portobello."

Members of the planning committee, who visited the site yesterday and were met by protesters, will discuss the plans at next Wednesday's planning meeting.

A council education spokesman said: "It would be inappropriate to comment in detail ahead of the committee meeting next week.

"An extensive pre-planning consultation took place before the application was submitted and we believe that any issues raised during this process have been fully addressed in our final proposals."