Plans to create a state of the art education and community campus in Faifley have been approved by the Council’s Planning Committee.
The campus will enhance learning for generations of children and young people in Clydebank. The campus will be built on the site of the current St Joseph’s Primary and will include Edinbarnet Primary School; Auchnacraig and Lennox Early Learning and Childcare Centres; an additional support needs base; education resource centre; community facilities to replace the Skypoint Centre and a new community library.
The campus will also have an all-weather sports pitch and an external state of the art Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) for outdoor sports open from 8am to 9pm and a generous playground to enhance opportunities for physical activity among the pupils.
The buildings will be of a contemporary design and will provide a landmark feature in the heart of Faifley. Materials used will include a palette of high quality, durable and robust materials inspired by the historic Cochno Stone which is a large cup and ring marked rock sited within Faifley.
The project will start in November and take just over two years to complete.
Councillor Lawrence O’Neil, Chair of Planning Committee, said: “This is great news for Faifley and is the most significant capital investment since the area was built. While the current buildings have served the community well, I am pleased to see this approved at Planning and we can now take forward the new learning and community facilities which will be a real improvement for the young people and community of Faifley. The campus will bring together two primary schools and two early learning centres and an additional support needs base and be home to a community library. I am keen to see work starting on this project which will not only be welcomed by children and young people, the community facilities which will replace the current Skypoint building will be a well-used resource for use by the residents of Faifley and beyond.”
Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, said: “I am delighted that plans for the new educational campus in Faifley have been approved and we can now proceed with our ambitious plan of creating the new educational and community facilities for the children and community of Faifley. The new shared campus will bring children together to be educated in first-class facilities which we can be proud of for years to come. I am also pleased the new campus will house a community library and allotment which will be a great asset for the community to use.”
Iain Marley, hub West Scotland CEO added: “We are delighted to have partnered with West Dunbartonshire Council and led the planning and delivery of the new campus project. In addition to creating high quality environments for learning and the provision of key services, the investment will immediately bring tangible benefits in the form of a programme of activities that support local educational establishments, those affected by poverty and with barriers to learning and employment opportunities and local businesses and community groups. The project has been developed with reference to the place principles in order to ensure that the facilities maximise the opportunity to improve the lives of local people and create a development that makes a very positive contribution to the community.”