St Mary's primary £8.5m rebuild is given the green light

Nov 5 2009 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

COUNCILLORS have this week approved the £8.5million rebuild of St Mary’s Primary School in Hamilton.

At a meeting of South Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, plans to demolish the school were rubber-stamped.

Under detailed proposals by contruction firm Morgan Ashurst, the existing Cadzow Street school is to be demolished and a new building constructed more centrally within the site, with playground areas located around the perimeter.

In addition, a 49-space car park will be created, while the existing red blaes pitch will be resurfaced to create an all-weather playing field.

A new five-metre high fence will also be constructed along the boundary of the pitch and neighbouring proprieties.

The main vehicle access route to the school will continue to be from Windmill Road, Muirhill Court and Auchingramont Road.

The replacement school will be of a modern design in varying heights but with all accommodation provided over one level, to include: 11 classrooms, gym/assembly hall, kitchen, dining room, ITC suite, library, GP room and office.

Pupils will be decanted to the former St Ninian’s primary school building in the town’s Hillhouse Road, for the duration of the project.

Work is expected to start on site in February 2010 with an entry date to the new school by the start of the new term in August 2011.

Councillor Graham Scott, chair of the planning committee said: “It is really satisfying for the members of this committee to be able to play a part in the Schools Modernisation Programme.

“Once again, we have before us a proposal which will transform the learning experiences of many hundreds of children both now and in the years to come.

“I have no hesitation in welcoming the St Mary’s proposal as very good news for the school community and the town of Hamilton.”