“Yet another step” has been taken in modernising the Angus school estate, following approval of the £10.6 million Timmergreens and Warddykes builds in Arbroath.
The first phase of the Arbroath Schools Project was green-lit by Angus councillors in Forfar on Tuesday, signalling the end of the debate over the best way to update local primaries.
Councillor Alex King said he “welcomed” the opportunity for his burgh to join Brechin and Forfar in approving modern education facilities.
He said: “(These) applications are verification that the administration’s policy regarding the Arbroath schools project is now taking place on the ground.
“It was two years ago that we came to the decision that we were to replace Timmergreens and Warddykes schools as the first priorities in the project we now have the planning permission in front of us.
“We are moving steadily forward with a massive programme of schools improvement across Angus, now that we’ve already approved Brechin High School and Forfar Academyprojects throughout the year.”
Fellow area councillor David Fairweather said: “I’m sure the parents and children of Timmergreens and Warddykes are going to be delighted they’re getting new schools.
“It’s yet another step towards modernising the school estate in Angus.”
The first part of a scheme to invigorate Arbroath’s schools will cost Angus Council £10.6 million, and follows its ditching of plans for the abortive west end “superschool” at Hospitalfield.
Both schools will be rebuilt where they stand and building work is expected to begin in October this year, pending approval by the development standards committee in Forfar.
Pupils from Timmergreens would be decanted to temporary units at Muirfield during construction and the new build is expected to open in January 2016, welcoming 222 primary-aged children and 30 pre-schoolers.
The committee considered a report by council head of planning and place Vivien Smith advising approval. The new Warddykes will be built to the west of the existing building, allowing the school to operate as usual.
It would open in April 2016 and host 335 children along with 40 pre-school places, with potential to accommodate another three classes.
The council has budgeted £4,207,000 for the project this financial year, £4,000,000 in 2015/16 and £2,000,000 in 2016/17.
A total of £9,000,000 has been allocated for phase two the new Hayshead Primary School construction which is expected to begin in December next year.
Arbroath Academy will also be the recipient of a total of £1,003,000 towards improvements.
Its technology suite will be reconfigured to the tune of £808,000, with £98,000 spent this year and the bulk of the work, around £590,000, done in this financial year, with the remainder split over subsequent years.