The Scottish Parliament has introduced a Private Bill which will allow the new Portobello High School to be built in Portobello Park.

Edinburgh City Council has taken the rare step of seeking to introduce the new legislation as the existing law presents an impediment to the Council building the much-needed facility.

The Private Bill, which is being promoted by the Council, aims to change the Common Good status of Portobello Park from 'inalienable' to 'alienable' – but only for educational purposes.

This would mean that although the land would remain in the Common Good, the Council would be able to 'appropriate it', or change its use to an educational purpose.

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The Council recently consulted on its proposals for a Private Bill and received resounding support to take it forward, with more than 12,000 individual responses received. Of the valid responses received from the city's residents, 70% supported the proposals. The level of support from those in the local Portobello area was higher at 76%.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Convener of Education, Children and Families, said: "The Council is absolutely determined to deliver a new Portobello High School and this is an important milestone in the project.

"The existing school is greatly in need of replacement and it is clear from the response to our recent consultation that the people of Edinburgh support our Private Bill to change the status of Portobello Park to allow the new Portobello High School to be built there.

"We believe we have a strong case to put to Parliament. This by far the best location for the much-needed new school and our open space compensation measures mean that the people of Portobello would not only gain a new park but also see improvements to other green space in the local community."

(JP/CD)