A new era of education will be ushered in for Kirkcaldy’s east end after plans for a new secondary school were approved.
Members of Fife Council’s central area planning committee have agreed to build a replacement for the ageing Viewforth High School at nearby Windmill Road.
Estimated to cost around £24 million, the school has been promoted as a community hub for a large part of Kirkcaldy, a model which could be copied at other new schools in Fife.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Kirkcaldy east,” said local councillor Kay Carrington. “It’s great for our young people, who are currently in a school that’s over 100 years old.
“Fife is taking the lead in putting up new schools and this is wonderful for Kirkcaldy.”
The three-storey structure will be built to cater for around 600 pupils, although room has been left to expand the capacity to 1,000.
It is a significant increase on the current Viewforth High, which has a roll of around 400 pupils.
Preparatory work has already been under way at the Windmill Road site for a number of months, with the existing playing fields having been removed.
Ground stabilisation work has been ongoing after the land was designated as being at “high risk” of subsidence, a legacy of the area’s former coal mining industry.
As well as a secondary school, a new Rosslyn Special Support School will also be located on campus.
The new building will also be home to community facilities, including a library, sports pitches and a local council office.
Concerns were also raised by Councillor John Beare about the impact of floodlighting on local houses, although this matter is set to be dealt with at a future date.
Councillor Andrew Rodger said: “This is the way forward, having council facilities in schools.
“We can create a one stop shop for people. This is what we need to be doing integrating ourselves with people.”
Meanwhile, councillor Kay Morrison hailed the scope of the project, adding: “This is an ambitious, imaginative project that combines several facilities.
“Having a local office at the school seems like a sensible idea.”
However, she voiced her concerns over the effect of the structure in the surrounding neighbourhood, adding: “It does seem much larger than the buildings nearby.
“We must preserve the continuity of the area.”
With planning permission now granted for the school building, construction is expected to begin imminently.
Although no firm opening date has been set, it is believed the school could open its doors for the 2017/18 session.