Old building is demolished despite protest

THE demolition of an old school building in Penicuik has started despite a petition signed by hundreds of local residents to save it.

The building, previously the Jackson Street School, has not been in use for several years, but a local residents' group, the Penicuik Community Development Trust (PCDT), submitted a proposal to buy the site in November last year after it was put up for sale by the council in 2006.

The PCDT's proposal envisaged community usage, including a museum and paper-making heritage centre on the site.

Roger Kelly, chair of the PCDT, called the council's decision to demolish the site an act of "vandalism". He said: "We are looking to take this building off the council's hands and turn it into a vital asset for Penicuik."

A spokesperson for Midlothian Council said: "The decision on demolition was passed unanimously at the November meeting of the full council on best value and public safety grounds. Proposals for alternative uses were considered by the council before this decision was made but had the property market not experienced difficulties, it would have been sold in 2006."