A NEW school for children with additional support needs is set to be given the greenlight in East Dunbartonshire. 

Councillors have signalled their intent to approve plans for the education hub in Kirkintilloch, despite a number of objections from the local community. 

The Waterside building is due to replace the existing Merkland and Campsie View schools and will cost more than £20 million. 

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In a pre-determination hearing last week, councillors approved the planning application for the new community facility. 

Given the financial interest of the council in the proposed development, the proposal must now be notified to Scottish Government Ministers.

Thomas Glen, East Dunbartonshire Council’s depute chief executive - place, neighbourhood and corporate assets, said: “Tonight’s decision was another important step towards meeting the needs of some of the most vulnerable young people in East Dunbartonshire by replacing Campsie View and Merkland Schools with one state-of-the-art school while at the same time seeking to improve community facilities in the local Waterside area. 

“We now await the Scottish Government’s feedback.”

The council has been working on the project since March 2018, with a report at that time stating: “It was recognised that the two existing schools could not be effectively refurbished to meet the requirement for the new provision. 

Glasgow Times: Thomas Glen, far right, has backed the plans for the new school Thomas Glen, far right, has backed the plans for the new school

“It was agreed that while historically, Campsie View and Merkland had been separate schools, to build one larger school would be more suitable for the future school population, and would provide  the best use of available budgets. There was a requirement to ensure [it] met the needs of the children.”