Plans for new £10m Glengowan Primary lodged with council

Jul 29 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

PLANS for a new £10 million primary school in Larkhall have been lodged with South Lanarkshire Council.

Applicants Bovis Lend Lease have submitted proposals to build a new two-storey Glengowan Primary School on the existing council roads depot site in Summerlee Road.

As well as the new school, the plans include associated parking for 64 vehicles, playground, landscaping and MUGA pitch.

Last September, parents expressed their disappointment that the opening of the new Glengowan Primary School had been delayed for two years.

Work to build the new school in Summerlee was expected to begin in September – 24 months behind schedule.

The new school is now expected to be completed by late 2011 and it is being built to cope with a predicted increase in the school roll.

The extra pupils will come when 200 new houses are built in Larkhall and Ferniegair.

A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: “Plans have been lodged for the construction of a new Glengowan Primary School located at Summerlee Road, Larkhall, which will cost approximately £10 million.

“Subject to planning approval, it is anticipated that the 14-classroom school and associated multi-use games area will be constructed as part of the council’s £850 million Primary Schools’ Modernisation Programme. “

Last month, plans to build a new Dalserf Primary School in Ashgill and Netherburn Primary were under review following the council’s battle to cope with an estimated £81m budget deficit.

But the council will continue to build the new £7.2m Robert Smillie Primary School in Strutherhill.

In August 2008, pupils moved into a new £6m Craigbank Primary in Glengonnar Street in the heart of the Strutherhill.

And in November 2007, teachers and 186 children moved into the new £7m Hareleeshill Primary School.

As part of the council’s plans, St Mary’s Primary will be refurbished by 2013.