Plans have been unveiled to create a new shared education and leisure campus in Neilston, East Renfrewshire.

Proposals to launch a six-week consultation over plans to develop the project will go before the Council later today, 10 May.

A feasibility study has shown that the current site of Neilston Primary is large enough to accommodate the development, which would provide a shared campus for Neilston Primary, St Thomas' Primary and Madras Family Centre.

The move is being considered due to the current condition and suitability of both the school buildings and family centre. Major refurbishment and redesign of the current buildings would be required to ensure they meet the educational needs of pupils, with a £2.8 million maintenance backlog already identified across the three structures.


And with a significant number of additional homes are planned for the area in the coming years, the Council is considering the best options to ensure the educational provision in the area meets the growing needs of the community.

Mhairi Shaw, the council's Director of Education, said: "The proposal to hold a formal consultation about future education provision in Neilston offers us the opportunity to consider how we can provide the best learning facilities possible for the village. It is important to be clear that any shared facility would retain the individual identities of both schools, although may provide some shared facilities - such as a gym hall, dining areas and meeting spaces.

"An informal consultation has already been held which has received positive feedback from a range of stakeholders, including the Parent Councils at both schools. It is now for Councillors to consider the proposal and decide whether to progress to this formal consultation."

If approved, the Learning in Neilston consultation would start on 11 May and close on 26 June, with the results being reported in October.

(LM/MH)