School future concerns as homes plan gains backing

FEARS for the future of two schools that are bursting at the seams have been raised after proposals for 300 new homes in the catchment area were recommended for approval by city planners.

The mixture of houses and flats could be built at Scottish Water's treatment works site at Fairmilehead, if councillors give them the green light.

But the proposal has sparked anger amongst local residents concerned about the impact such a large housing development would have on the local schools - Buckstone Primary and Boroughmuir High - which are already experiencing accommodation pressures.

Fears have also been raised that the new homes could force the city to consider a secondary school catchment review.

Matt Little, who lives in Buckstone Wood, said: "If the proposed number of properties is built, the schooling arrangements would be inadequate.

"I am concerned that the proposed development will have a negative impact on the current primary school and that a catchment area change would be necessary for secondary education."

Keith Watson, of Buckstone Avenue, also objected to the application amid concerns for the local primary.

He said: "In the last academic year, the school was unable to place all P1 pupils in exclusively P1 classes and had to place several pupils in composite classes with P2 pupils.

"This is not an optimal learning and teaching situation, so with the school appearing to be operating at full capacity, it is difficult to see how the catchment area could absorb the household numbers proposed."

The 13.3-hectare water treatment site will become available for redevelopment once the new treatment works are up and running at Glencorse.

The site was previously considered as a possible location for the new Boroughmuir High School and although this option is unlikely, it still hasn't been completely ruled out.

Responding to the application, the city's children and families department stated: "It should be noted that in response to the Scottish Government's funding commitment for a replacement Boroughmuir High School, site options are currently being evaluated and this site potentially remains a candidate for the relocation of the school."

Children and families bosses have confirmed the accommodation problems at both Buckstone Primary, which is close to capacity, and Boroughmuir High, which is over 100 per cent capacity.

Developers of the site would therefore be required to provide contributions to help address these issues.

Standard developer contributions for a primary school are 2567 per house and 411 per flat. For a secondary school, the required contributions are slightly less at 2142 and 357 respectively.

Developers would also have to pay 10,000 to adjust traffic signals at the Frogston Road West, Biggar Road, Comiston Road and Oxgangs Road junction, 24,000 for new bus shelters in Comiston Road, 15,000 for a Bus Tracker information sign and 15,000 for the council's Safer Routes to School Programme.

A city council spokesman said: "This is at an early stage but where new developments are proposed, we often seek a contribution from developers to support school provision."

The application, submitted by Scottish Water, will be discussed at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday.

Scottish Water said it submitted the application following a 12-week consultation and it is trying to get the best possible market price for the land.