Planning permission to construct a new Boroughmuir High School has been approved.

The plans, which are for a canal-side site in Edinburgh, were designed by Allan Murray Architects.

The new facility will house up to 1,165 pupils who are currently at the school's Viewforth site – located less than 500m away.

The new site is marked by the Union Canal to the south, Dundee Street to the north, and Viewforth to the east, while the student residencies being built off Gibson Terrace for Napier University mark the western edge of the site.

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Plans for the school include teaching areas arranged around a multi-functional "heart", while traditional classrooms will offer easy access to break out areas. There will also be enhanced facilities for physical activity and external learning, including a roof-top multi-use games area. In addition, there will be a new public park, along the canal's north bank, next to the new school building.

Work is expected to commence on site this summer, with a completion date of summer 2016.

Welcoming the news, Edinburgh City council's Education Convener, Councillor Paul Godzik, said: "Pupils, parents and teachers have been waiting a long time for a new school so I'm delighted that work can now start on the site.

"Boroughmuir has a first-class academic track record, and the focus is now firmly on delivering a new school that provides an equally impressive learning environment."

(JP/MH)