THE City of Edinburgh Council is asking locals for their views on the planned new primary school in Greendykes.
The new school is set to be built on the Hunter’s Hall Public Park and will be co-located with the Jack Kane Community Centre in a move that the council hopes will create an enhanced community hub for the area.
The planned location was informed by previous public consultations, which suggested the best area for the school would be the public park.
However, to build the school, as well as a planned new BMX track on the park, the council must first revoke its common good status – which ensures protections against alteration for land held by the council for the common good of the people in the area.
As well as a primary school, there are also plans for an early learning and childcare centre to be included in the developments, with the nearby Greengables nursery site being relocated to the area.
The council feels that construction of a new school is essential due to increased demand from the Craigmillar and Niddrie housing estates.
The construction of the new school would also necessitate a new catchment area and changes to surrounding catchment areas.
Castleview Primary School, Niddrie Mill Primary School, Brunstane Primary School, Newcraighall Primary School, Castlebrae Community Campus and Portobello High School would all see their catchment areas altered.
A planned BMX track for Hunter’s Hall Park is much further on in their development, with a budget in place and “in principle” funding from SportScotland, but it still requires the revocation of common good status on the park.
Councillor James Dalgleish, education, children and families convener said: “These proposals cover a lot of ground but present a clear idea: a new primary school and early years centre at the heart of our community, breathing new life and bringing fresh investment into Hunter’s Hall Park and Jack Kane Centre.
“We need to make smart choices to invest in the future of the area, and have an opportunity to develop a range of better, more modern and accessible services for people across Niddrie and Craigmillar.”
The council is also planning improvements to both the Jack Kane Community Centre and Hunter’s Hall Park itself.
It has been suggested that co-locating the primary school with the Jack Kane Community Centre could provide more varied learning opportunities for pupils.
Better lighting and enhanced accessibility for the park have also been floated as ideas.
These plans have not yet reached the planning stage, however, and are very early in their development.
The council is seeking the views of the community in the public consultation which opened yesterday.
Councillor Dalgleish continued: “Together, these proposals improve value for money and expand and improve the services and facilities already offered at Hunter’s Hall Park.”
“This investment would help to make the park a safer, more accessible and more enjoyable place to spend time while ensuring everyone can live well locally.
“The proposals have been designed using the feedback from previous engagement, but we need to make sure they work for everyone.
“This consultation is a fantastic opportunity to make sure people’s views are heard and taken into account as plans progress in more detail.”
The council will host in-person public meetings to present and discuss proposals on: Thursday 13 November, 6:30pm – 8:30pm at Castleview Primary School, and Tuesday 25 November, 6:30pm – 8:30pm at Greengables Nursery.
The public consultation will close on 9 December.
