Public invited to have say on Newbattle school plans

The meeting will hear the views of residents, pupils, parents, businesses and community and voluntary groups about what facilities they want to see in the new campus and where it should be located.

Councillor Lisa Beattie, Midlothian’s education leader, said the council was due to hold a general meeting on February 5, but that the issue of the school was important enough to merit its own gathering.

She said: “Given the importance of the Newbattle project, this new school has the potential to transform lives – we feel it’s vital to focus solely on this report and nothing else. We are committed to giving this report the scrutiny it needs, and the time and consideration it deserves – hence the special meeting.

“I can’t stress strongly enough that no decisions have been made about what will be in the school or where it will be built.”

The Scottish Government pledged £17 million funding towards the school last September.