AMBITIOUS plans to develop a £23 million primary school in Maryhill to replace the former Wynford Primary has been given the green light.

Glasgow City Council’s planning committee approved proposals to create a new school on the playing fields at Queen Margaret Drive which would accommodate 378 pupils while educating the city’s increasing population.

As reported in last night's Evening Times, included in the plans is an 11-a-side 3G pitch, games area and 80 parking spaces for bikes which will be available for members of the local community to use after school hours.

Members of the planning committee yesterday echoed some concerns of the public about children travelling along the Maryhill Road, one of the busiest roads in Glasgow, to a school which wasn’t in their catchment area.

Councillors suggested that parents might not allow their child to cycle along Maryhill Road because it could be too dangerous.

Labour councillor Jane Morgan said: “Children should not be expected to cycle along a main road to get to school. There should be a dedicated cycle path.

“Because this development is on a main road there may be a build up of traffic when parents drop their children off at school.”

Local councillors praised the committee’s decision to grant planning permission for the new facility which will see existing blaes pitches upgraded to a 3G synthetic surface.

SNP councillor John Letford said: “Finally, we are righting a historic wrong for the children and wider community of Maryhill, providing them with a 21st century school for the needs of a 21st century education. The life chances of our children created by this new school shouldn’t be under-estimated.

“With 3G pitches which will be available for community use and state-of-the-art facilities this really is a game-changer for local aspirations for an improved neighbourhood. It’s Maryhill’s turn and this delivers for the families of Maryhill.”

Fellow Maryhill SNP councillor Franny Scally said that he had been advocating for a new school for more than ten years.

He added: “I’m chuffed to bits that kids in Maryhill will have a new school. The area dearly needs at least one and the people have fought long and hard for their schools.

“I’ve campaigned for schools in Maryhill for well over a decade and now we’re delivering the first proper investment in the primary schools in our community for nearly 50s years.”

Councillor Chris Cunningham, City Convener for Education, Skills and Early Years said that he was proud of the new generation of schools delivered across Glasgow including Carntyne, Blairdardie, Sighthill and Dalmarnock.

He said: “This is Maryhill’s turn. Its new school will not only provide a fantastic modern learning environment for children and staff, but will be a real asset for the whole community.”