Fears that a vocal minority could delay new school opening

May 22 2008 By Alastair McNeill

A FINAL revised plan for the new Uddingston Grammar building, due to be considered by councillors, was recently withdrawn over drainage issues at the site.

Last month nearby residents concerned about flooding in the area called for a flood-risk assessment to cover their homes.

But the school’s parent council expressed fears this week that a “vocal minority” could unnecessarily delay the opening of the school scheduled for August.

The £18.1m school building, which lies on a floodplain, has been built on a platform to lift it 6ft above the height of the original plan.

South Lanarkshire Council pointed out — following a letter from Central Scotland MSP Alex Neil — that there was no need for a flood-risk assessment to be carried out as part of the consideration of the final application.

Mr Neil wrote to South Lanarkshire chief executive Archie Strang to ask him to delay approval of application, due to be considered at the planning committee meeting of May 13.

He pointed to the potential of flooding of nearby housing from surplus surface water and groundwater.

Mr Neil had stated: “It is quite clear that no systematic or thorough assessment has been made of the impact of this planning application on the potential of flooding of nearby housing from surplus water or groundwater.”

Uddingston councillor Jim McGuigan this week applauded the decision to withdraw the plan.

He said: “Alex Neil, myself and local residents have been warning about flooding and drainage issues for some time.

“Hopefully the council are beginning to take on board our concerns.

“However, it would be appropriate now for (South Lanarkshire chief executive) Archie Strang to ensure that appropriate notification goes out to all the objectors to the original plans.”

But Stuart Park of Uddingston Grammar Parent Council said this week the body was concerned that the new school’s opening could be delayed over concerns on potential flooding risk.

He pointed out: “At their latest meeting on May 15, the Parent Council expressed disappointment that opposition from a vocal minority could unnecessarily delay the opening of the new school which is on schedule for completion by the summer.

“The Parent Council, composed of elected parents, nominated parents, local residents and staff at the school, believes that it is time for everyone to work together and focus their energies on ensuring that this valuable new asset to the community is brought into use as soon as possible.

“The school is built and almost ready, so let’s get on with delivering better education facilities for pupils and staff, new sporting facilities for the local community, and ensuring that the community gets the best out of this important new asset.”

A South Lanarkshire Council spokeswoman said: “The application was provisionally on the agenda for the committee of May 13.

“However, not all of the required information regarding drainage at the site had been received in time to allow full assessment to be made.

“The next meeting the application could potentially be heard at is on June 10.”

Construction at the site is well advanced and pupils are scheduled to move into the building when the new term begins in August.