Proposals to create Scotland's first joint faith school campus has taken a step forward, East Renfrewshire Council has said.

The campus, which would accommodate both Catholic and Jewish communities, will now move to the next stage of planning. If approval is granted to a proposed site in Newton Mearns as a suitable location, formal consultation on the project would begin in the spring.

The new campus, estimated at £13.6m, would replace East Renfrewshire's existing Jewish primary, Calderwood Lodge, as well as a new, additional Catholic primary to serve the Catholic community in Newton Mearns alongside St Cadoc's Primary.

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In October 2013, the local authority agreed to hold an informal consultation with the two communities. Following the meetings, both have said they are in favour of the shared campus proposal.

It is understood there is already £10m in the Council's capital plan for a new Catholic primary, but to create a shared campus would cost an additional £3.6m.

Vice-Convener for Education and Equalities, Councillor Paul O'Kane, said: "It is hugely encouraging that both our Catholic and Jewish communities have responded to this informal consultation so positively.

"There is a pressing need for additional school places for children of Catholic faith, and our Jewish school community has long expressed the desire to relocate to East Renfrewshire, where most of our Calderwood Lodge pupils live.

"I look forward to hearing more positive and encouraging views from everyone involved as we move ahead in the process."

(JP/MH)