Scottish Borders Council has granted planning permission for the development of a new primary school and adjoining medical practice in Earlston.

The approval marks an important milestone for plans to redevelop the existing primary school to include a range of multi-use community facilities including an adjoining health centre, nursery and library.

The permission will allow further planning, design and development of the project to be undertaken along with additional consultation with the local community to talk through the approved designs.

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The development will consist of a two-storey education block and a single storey pavilion housing the health centre linked by a central shared reception which includes a community library, a community café and multi-use shared spaces.

Situated on the site of the old school, the new building will boast high quality external spaces for play and community use with improved access routes installed to provide safer routes connecting children with their homes and the school.

As well as state-of-the-art educational facilities, the building will provide extensive benefits to the wider community by bringing care and wellbeing services brought to the heart of the community along with learning and social facilities.

Construction work on the development is due to start later this year with the new homes completed in phases. The entire development will be finished in early 2024.