Community wing plans under fire

Dec 31 2008 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

FAMILIES this week raised concerns over proposals to attach a community facility to a new £4m primary school.

Parents hit out at plans to build a community wing at the new Dalserf Primary School in Ashgill.

Plans to erect the school next to existing playing fields in the village are being considered by South Lanarkshire Council.

Last month the council’s executive committee approved the construction of a community wing as part of the rebuild.

Construction work on the new school and community wing is expected to begin in early 2010.

However, residents fear the community wing will replace the existing Ashgill Public Hall in Stewartgill Place. And they want the hall to be retained.

Parents of young children want nursery provision at the new school.

But a South Lanarkshire Council spokesman said they currently have no proposals to establish nursery provision at the new school.

Ashgill Residents and Tenants’ Association and Ashgill Public Hall Community Management Committee have both sent letters to the local authority voicing their concerns about the council’s plans.

Tammy Campbell, chairman of the residents group, said: “I can’t see the existing proposals working out for the benefit of the community.

“It would make more sense to have nursery provision at the new Dalserf Primary School to help young mums who don’t drive who have to take their children to school at the same time as getting their children to nursery at either Machanhill Primary School in Larkhall or at Netherburn Primary School.”

The existing public hall is used every week by a pensioners’ lunch club, mothers and toddlers’ group, karate club, youth club and dancing school, In addition, 120 people attend the Bethany Church Group.

The ringcraft dog show group are planning to use the public hall every Thursday in the new year after being rehomed from Birkenshaw in Larkhall.

Craig Barry, chairman of Ashgill Community Hall Management Committee, said: “We won’t be able hold dogs shows or dancing classes in the new community wing. We are worried new lets at the community wing are going to cost money and some groups won’t be able to afford the rise.

“If groups want to use the kitchen in the new community facility, for instance, then we will have to employ a member of the council’s kitchen staff and many won’t be able to do that because of the costs.”

SNP councillor Peter Craig said the proposed new school is the biggest investment in the village. He added: “Discussions will take place on what type of facilities should be in the community wing.

“The changing rooms at the football park could be relocated to the new community facility and I would like to see a five-a-side astroturf all-weather sports pitch being built as part of the school proposals.”

Labour councillor Andy Carmichael has backed residents’ calls for nursery provision.

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman said: “The council already have community accommodation attached to new-build primary schools in a number of locations and these are considered to have improved the provision of lettable accommodation in these areas.”

The new community accommodation will comprise a 100- square metre community hall with folding partition, allowing the hall to be split into a large and small area.

It will have toilets, storage and community kitchen.

The new school will have a dining/GP area and classrooms which will also be available for let outwith school hours.

The spokesman concluded: “The lettable areas will be available for hire for a wide variety of activities which could include dancing.”

PROTEST: from left Tammy Campbell, chairman of Ashgill Residents and Tenants Association, Mary Park, Ashgill Senior Citizens Club and other representatives from the Ashgill Public Hall Management Committee, Ashgill Residents and Tenants’ Association, pensioners’ group and youth club.